directional

adjective

di·​rec·​tion·​al də-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce directional (audio)
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 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless headphone is 29% off and built for gamers who don’t want to charge every night, offering days of battery life, crisp directional sound, and a comfy fit that lasts through marathon sessions. PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025 Belts are also making a strong comeback, defining waists over outerwear and dresses, while headwear has become unexpectedly directional again. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025 The technology uses specialized connectors known as Transformers to facilitate bi-directional communication, enabling robots to both read from and write to various machines on the production floor. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025 PageRank is more complicated than eigenvector centrality in part because links on the Internet are one-directional, whereas friendships in a social network are bidirectional, a symmetry that simplifies the math. Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for directional

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of directional was in 1842

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Directional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/directional. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

directional

adjective
di·​rec·​tion·​al də-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce directional (audio)
dī-
1
: relating to or indicating direction
directional signal lights on an automobile
2
: relating to direction or guidance especially of thought or effort

More from Merriam-Webster on directional

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!