directional

adjective

di·​rec·​tion·​al də-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of, relating to, or indicating direction in space:

a

: suitable for detecting the direction from which radio signals come or for sending out radio signals in one direction only

a directional antenna

b

: operating most effectively in a particular direction

a directional microphone

2

: relating to direction or guidance especially of thought or effort

directionality

di-ˌrek-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

Examples of directional in a Sentence

We work with maps to improve the students' directional skills.

the directional signal lights on an automobile

The radio has a directional antenna.

Recent Examples on the Web

Best interpreted as directional tools repeated every 6–12 months, not definitive diagnostics. — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

During play, participants are constantly switching between jogging, sprinting and directional changes, which creates cardiovascular conditioning similar to structured interval training. — Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 14 July 2026

About 150,000 options traded in SK by midday Tuesday and while more calls traded than puts, the most popular directional trade by volume was selling calls, according to Cboe LiveVol data. — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 14 July 2026

Aviation observers studying pictures of the aircraft said the new plane appears to lack external modifications to the tail cone associated with a type of directional infrared missile defense system. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for directional

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

Kids Definition

directional

adjective

di·​rec·​tion·​al də-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nəl 

dī-

1

: relating to or indicating direction

directional signal lights on an automobile

2

: relating to direction or guidance especially of thought or effort