direction

noun

di·​rec·​tion də-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce direction (audio)
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
6
a
: a channel or direct course of thought or action
deciding which direction to take as a writer
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 adjective
directionlessness noun

Examples of direction in a Sentence

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
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.
Stock-Market Outlook One area of increasing uncertainty is the direction of stock prices for employees with equity compensation and holdings of company shares. Bruce Brumberg, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 Eric Heyer, an attorney for two vaping companies, argued the FDA had switched directions and surprised his clients by demanding new studies to prove their products would persuade more adult smokers to switch to e-cigarettes. David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024 But an unpleasant incident with a public transit plebeian leads Leighton to ponder the direction of her life. Rachel Seo, Variety, 2 Dec. 2024 Assistance of this kind has also flowed in the opposite direction, from the spies to the civilians. Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for direction 

Word History

Etymology

see direct entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of direction was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near direction

Cite this Entry

“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/direction. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

direction

noun
di·​rec·​tion də-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce direction (audio)
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on direction

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