Definition of direction
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
3a : an explicit instruction : order carefully read the directions follow directionsb : 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 1
6a : a channel or direct course of thought or action deciding which direction to take as a writerb : tendency, trendc : a guiding, governing, or motivating purpose His life lacked direction.
7a : 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 1passage 6b) or movement (see movement 4c)
directionlessness
nounIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
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 of direction from the Web
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As Mueller’s investigation begins, members of Congress are intensely interested in its direction and scope.
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A more negative reading signals prices are likely to move in the opposite direction of one another, providing a stronger hedge.
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Route 59 was closed in both directions from Main Street to Route 14 for about two-and-a-half hours, said Barrington spokeswoman Patty Dowd Schmitz.
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After David Johnson V and Cason were in the Lake County Jail after being charged in connection with a fight in 2015, Hill said David Johnson V talked about Arreon Lackey causing problems and leading his brother, Greenwood, in the wrong direction.
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A sidewalk must have a ramp at every direction where a pedestrian can cross, including the diagonal angle.
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An information board in the village gives directions to the craters, and there are more than 1,000 burials in the Wytschaete Military Cemetery, a short walk from the main square.
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The causation could go in other directions, however: Wage growth, or the lack of it, might affect innovation and productivity.
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By featuring stunning curved displays in a compact body, the duo of smartphones not only takes the Galaxy design language in a new direction, but also sets a new standard for the whole industry.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'direction'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of direction
see 1direct
First Known Use: 15th century
DIRECTION Defined for English Language Learners
direction
playDefinition of direction for English Language Learners
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: the course or path on which something is moving or pointing
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directions : a statement that tells a person what to do and how to do it : an order or instruction
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: instructions that tell you how to go to a place
DIRECTION Defined for Kids
direction
playDefinition of direction for Students
1 : the path along which something moves, lies, or points I'm coming from the opposite direction.
2 : an order or instruction to be followed Read the directions first.
3 : instructions on how to get somewhere
4 : supervision, management He took over direction of the project.
Learn More about direction
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See words that rhyme with direction Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for direction Spanish Central: Translation of direction Nglish: Translation of direction for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of direction for Arabic speakers
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