directional

1 of 2

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

directionality

2 of 2

noun

di·​rec·​tion·​al·​i·​ty də̇ˌrekshəˈnalətē 

(ˌ)dīˌ-

plural -es

1

: the property of directional selectivity or precision

a scintillation counter was devised in such a fashion as to give a directionality of fifteen degrees and adequate sensitivity

—Surgical Forum

2

: maintenance of direction

among these properties is that of directionality

—C. K. Kluckhohn

Examples of directional in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

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

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

That one-way motion creates naturally directional electrical pathways. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

The trader spent $24 million on a three-part call spread that needs the Nasdaq-100 index to make an all-time high by the end of this month, a high-conviction directional bet and the third-biggest trade among all options exchanged on Thursday. — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 9 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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