bidirectional

adjective

bi·​di·​rec·​tion·​al ˌbī-də-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nəl 

-dī-

: involving, moving, or taking place in two usually opposite directions

bidirectional flow

bidirectional replication of DNA

bidirectionally adverb

Examples of bidirectional in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There's also a bidirectional relationship between stress and your skin. —Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 16 Apr. 2026

At best, that friction breeds not only generational ambiguity, but a sort of bidirectional bliss. —Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 15 Apr. 2026

But our travels repeatedly made clear that the relationship must be bidirectional. —Srinidhi Polkampally, STAT, 8 Apr. 2026

All is controllable via a simple bidirectional wheel that resets the indications instantaneously and remains synchronized from 1900 through 2099. —Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bidirectional

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

Kids Definition

bidirectional

adjective

bi·​di·​rec·​tion·​al ˌbī-də-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nəl 

-dī-

: involving, moving, or taking place in usually two opposite directions

Medical Definition

bidirectional

adjective

bi·​di·​rec·​tion·​al ˌbī-də-ˈrek-shnəl, -dī-, -shən-ᵊl 

: involving, moving, or taking place in two usually opposite directions

bidirectional flow of materials in axons

bidirectional replication of DNA

bidirectionally

-ē 

adverb