unidirectional

adjective

uni·​di·​rec·​tion·​al ˌyü-ni-də-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nəl 

-dī-

1

: involving, functioning, moving, or responsive in a single direction

a unidirectional microphone

2

: not subject to change or reversal of direction

unidirectionally adverb

Examples of unidirectional in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This unidirectional model placed proteins as the sole functional end-products of gene expression. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

The unidirectional rotating bezel is paired with a matte green ceramic disk. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

The newest Tech variant features a 45 mm titanium case, a black dial that absorbs up to 97 percent of light, and a unidirectional 120-click ceramic bezel. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 July 2025

Thunderbolt 3 and 4, for example, reach speeds up to 40 Gbps while the new Thunderbolt 5 reaches a ludicrous 80 Gbps (or up to 120 Gbps when used for unidirectional connections like outputs to displays). —Eric Ravenscraft, Wired News, 10 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unidirectional

• unidirectional current

Rhymes for unidirectional

• multidirectional
• omnidirectional
• affectional
• correctional
• directional
• inflectional
• bidirectional
• intersectional
• sectional

Medical Definition

unidirectional

adjective

uni·​di·​rec·​tion·​al ˌyü-ni-də-ˈrek-shnəl, -dī-, -shən-ᵊl 

: involving, functioning, moving, or responsive in a single direction

unidirectionally

-ē 

adverb