direction

1 of 2

noun

di·​rec·​tion də-ˈrek-shən 

dī-

1

: guidance or supervision of action or conduct : management

working under the direction of the doctor

2

archaic : the address placed on the outside of a letter or package to be delivered : superscription

3

a

: an explicit instruction : order

carefully read the directions

follow directions

b

: assistance in pointing out the proper route

—usually used in plural

asked for directions to the beach

4

: the line or course on which something is moving or is aimed to move or along which something is pointing or facing

came from the opposite direction

walking in the same direction

5

archaic : directorate sense 1

6

a

: a channel or direct course of thought or action

deciding which direction to take as a writer

b

: tendency, trend

c

: a guiding, governing, or motivating purpose

His life lacked direction.

7

a

: the art and technique of supervising the production of a show or performance : the art and technique of directing an orchestra, band, or a show (as for stage or screen)

b

music : a word, phrase, or sign indicating the appropriate tempo, mood, or intensity of a passage (see passage entry 1 sense 6b) or movement (see movement sense 4c)

directionless

də-ˈrek-shən-ləs 

adjective

directionlessness noun

directionless

2 of 2

adjective

di·​rec·​tion·​less də-ˈrek-shən-ləs 

dī-

1

: having no discernible direction

2

: having no guiding purpose

directionlessness noun

… they see the sense of defeat, ennui, and directionlessness …

—Harvey Cox, Religion in the Secular City, 1984

Synonyms of direction

Noun

• instruction
• order
• edict
• directive
• do

Examples of direction in a Sentence

Noun

The army attacked from three different directions.

Down the road, he could see a bus coming from the opposite direction.

The wind changed direction and started blowing in our faces.

Carefully read the directions before you begin the test.

Directions appear on the package.

We had to stop to ask for directions to the beach.

Excuse me. Could you please give me directions to the movie theater?

He was put in charge and given overall direction of the program.

Twenty-three employees work under her direction.

Several nurses working under the direction of this doctor have made complaints.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

When the waves reflect back, the radar receives them and transmits data about the number, height, direction, and speed of aerial passersby. —Literary Hub, 11 June 2026

These ambassadors will assist visitors with directions, offer safety escorts, and connect people to resources. —Leondra Head, CBS News, 10 June 2026

Ellesse said the campaign signals a shift in creative direction. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 June 2026

Simply pull the hair out in the direction of hair growth for best results. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

see direct entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing direction

• a step in the right direction
• co-direction
• direction angle
• direction cosine
• direction finder
• in the direction of (something)
• sense of direction
• stage direction

Rhymes for direction

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction

Kids Definition

direction

noun

di·​rec·​tion də-ˈrek-shən 

dī-

1

: guidance of action or conduct : management

many people working under my direction

direction of a play

2

: an instruction, indication, or order given with authority

follow directions

3

: the line or course along which something moves, lies, or points

headed in a northerly direction

4

: tendency sense 1, trend

a new direction in literature

directionless

-ləs 

adjective