direct

verb

di·​rect də-ˈrekt 

dī-

directed; directing; directs

transitive verb

1

: to cause to turn, move, or point undeviatingly or to follow a straight course

X-rays directed through the body

2

: to point, extend, or project in a specified line or course

direct the nozzle downward

3

a

: to regulate the activities or course of

directs a staff of over 200 employees

b

: to carry out the organizing, energizing, and supervising of

direct a project

directed a call center

c

: to train and lead performances of

direct a movie

directing a famous actor

d

: to dominate and determine the course of

… will not find it preposterous that the past should be altered by the present as much as the present is directed by the past.

—T. S. Eliot

4

a

: to impart orally

directed the remark to her fellow senators

b

: to mark with the name and address of the intended recipient

c

: to adapt in expression so as to have particular applicability

arguments directed at the emotions

d

obsolete : to write (a letter) to a person

5

: to show or point out the way for

signs directing us to the entrance

6

: to request or enjoin (see enjoin sense 1) with authority

the judge directed the jury to acquit

intransitive verb

1

: to act as director of a show or musical ensemble

She both acted and directed in the film.

2

: to point out, prescribe, or determine a course or procedure

Synonyms of direct

• channel
• conduct
• funnel
• carry
• pipe
• channelize
• focus
• canalize

Choose the Right Synonym for direct

command, order, bid, enjoin, direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders.

command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality.

command stresses official exercise of authority.

a general commanding troops

order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

ordered his employees about

bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality.

directed her assistant to hold all calls

the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark

charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

conduct, manage, control, direct mean to use one's powers to lead, guide, or dominate.

conduct implies taking responsibility for the acts and achievements of a group.

conducted negotiations

manage implies direct handling and manipulating or maneuvering toward a desired result.

manages a meat market

control implies a regulating or restraining in order to keep within bounds or on a course.

controlling his appetite

direct implies constant guiding and regulating so as to achieve smooth operation.

directs the store's day-to-day business

Examples of direct in a Sentence

Be sure that the water nozzle is directed downward.

The sloping ground helps direct water away from the home.

Let me direct your attention to the book's second chapter.

We were asked to direct our thoughts and prayers to the people who survived the disaster.

The students directed their efforts toward improving their community.

A lot of the criticism has been directed toward the concert's organizers.

He is responsible for directing the activities of the sales team.

In my current position, I direct a staff of over 200 employees.

We need someone to direct traffic.

Recent Examples on the Web

Please feel welcome to direct your thoughts and complaints to the comments section. —Liam Twomey, New York Times, 11 June 2026

Sudharshan Srinivasan, who works as an executive producer in the Tamil film industry, has spent years hoping to direct his own feature film. —Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 11 June 2026

While acknowledging policy disagreements with colleagues on how best to address street homelessness, Raman argued the city should focus on directing resources toward strategies that have been proven to move people indoors. —Teresa Liu, Daily News, 11 June 2026

Nguyen, who won Do’s seat after his resignation, said the money should be used to specifically support residents who were deprived of services funded by the $10 million in pandemic relief money that Do had directed to nonprofits after receiving bribes. —Claire Wang, Oc Register, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French directer, from Latin directus straight, from past participle of dirigere to direct — more at dress

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4d

Phrases Containing direct

• co-direct
• direct action
• direct broadcast satellite
• direct current
• direct debit
• direct democracy
• direct deposit
• direct examination
• direct lighting
• direct mail
• direct marketing
• direct object
• direct primary
• direct product
• direct-response
• direct sum
• direct tax
• direct variation
• self-direct

Rhymes for direct

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• dissect
• effect
• eject

Kids Definition

direct

1 of 2 verb

di·​rect də-ˈrekt 

dī-

1

: to mark with a name and address

direct a letter

2

: to cause to turn, move, or point or to follow a straight course

3

: to point in a specified line, course, or direction

4

: to show or point out the way for

the signs directed us to the museum

5

: to guide the activities or course of

direct the project

direct a play

6

: to request or instruct with authority

the court directed the jury to acquit them

direct

2 of 2 adjective

1

: proceeding from one point to another in time or space without turning or stopping : straight

2

a

: coming immediately from a source, cause, or reason

direct result

b

: done or working without something else coming in between

direct action

direct printing

c

: being in an unbroken family line : lineal

direct ancestor

3

: natural entry 1 sense 8, straightforward

a direct manner

4

: consisting of or reproducing the exact words of a speaker or writer

a direct quotation

direct adverb

directness

-ˈrek(t)-nəs

noun

Legal Definition

direct

1 of 3 transitive verb

di·​rect

1

: to order with authority

the testator directed that the car go to his niece

2

: to order entry of (a verdict) without jury consideration

the court directed a verdict in favor of the defendant

3

: to act as director of

intransitive verb

: to act as director

direct

2 of 3 adjective

1

a

: stemming immediately from a source

direct costs

a direct claim

compare derivative

b

: being or passing in a straight line from parent to offspring : lineal

a direct ancestor

compare collateral

2

: marked by absence of any intervening agency, instrumentality, or influence

direct consequences

3

: effected by the action of the people or the electorate and not by representatives

direct democracy

4

: characterized by close logical, causal, or consequential relationship

a direct interest in the outcome of the litigation

directly adverb

direct

3 of 3 noun

: direct examination

testimony given on direct