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

Unlike earlier assistants limited to voice commands, GPT Realtime integrates voice, text, images and code, enabling bidirectional communication across devices and languages within the same conversation. —Gelila, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Takahashi's bidirectional system is far more power hungry. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Fermata Energy’s bidirectional chargers will manage the discharge of that energy back to the grid during periods of peak demand. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025

Investigating bidirectional causal relationships between gut microbiota and insomnia. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025

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