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
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
The Jones Howler, a directional ripper, was our top-scoring board of the test for both male and female testers, our Editors’ Choice award winner, and perhaps (and this is a heavy claim) our favorite snowboard of all time.
—
Drew Zieff, Outside, 7 Nov. 2025
Options Trade With an IV Rank of 16% , option premiums remain modest, making debit spreads attractive for bearish directional exposure.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
By designing two complementary layers—a tunable optical active layer and a mechanically distinct passive layer—the team created modular actuators capable of diverse motions, from directional movement to secure object gripping.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
The monochrome images are sometimes backlit, sometimes illuminated by directional light coming from unexpected angles.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directional
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Drew Zieff, Outside, 7 Nov. 2025
Options Trade With an IV Rank of 16% , option premiums remain modest, making debit spreads attractive for bearish directional exposure.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
By designing two complementary layers—a tunable optical active layer and a mechanically distinct passive layer—the team created modular actuators capable of diverse motions, from directional movement to secure object gripping.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
The monochrome images are sometimes backlit, sometimes illuminated by directional light coming from unexpected angles.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directional
Cite this Entry
“Directional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/directional. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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