directive

adjective di·rec·tive \ də-ˈrek-tiv , dī- \

|Updated on: 31 Jul 2018

Definition of directive

1 : serving or intended to guide, govern, or influence

a directive method

2 : serving to point direction; specifically : directional 1b

directive microphones

3 psychology : of or relating to psychotherapy or counseling in which the counselor introduces information, content, or attitudes not previously expressed by the client

Recent Examples of directive from the Web

Most intriguingly, the new app will take a more directive approach to making suggestions to drivers about where to go and what to do.

— alexis c. madrigal, The Atlantic, "3 Million Uber Drivers Are About to Get a New Boss," 10 Apr. 2018
Garcetti signed a directive two weeks ago prohibiting all city employees from using public resources to aide federal civil immigration actions.

— the washington post, The Denver Post, "Attorney General Sessions seeks greater role for Justice Department in immigration enforcement," 1 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'directive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of directive

see ¹direct

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

directive

noun

Definition of directive

: something that serves to direct, guide, and usually impel toward an action or goal; especially, government : an authoritative order or instrument issued by a high-level body or official

a presidential directive

See directive defined for English-language learners

See directive defined for kids

Examples of directive in a Sentence

They received a written directive instructing them to develop new security measures.
the company president regularly issues directives intended for all staff members

Recent Examples of directive from the Web

The central government often uses inspections as a way to evaluate local officials and get top-level directives across.

— lingling wei, WSJ, "China’s Effort to Control Debt Loses Steam," 12 July 2018
But more of those deportations stemmed from ICE arrests, the agency said in a press release crediting it to Trump's directives.

— NBC News, "Fact check: Critics call ICE a 'deportation force.' Are they right?," 11 July 2018
The surge is largely because of President Donald Trump's tougher directive to ICE agents: Before, they were instructed to target those with serious criminal pasts; Now they're told to arrest any immigrants here illegally.

— tresa baldas, Detroit Free Press, "3 Troy siblings move to Albania to live with deported mom," 10 July 2018
Under Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ directive, the policy called for the prosecution of all immigrants who did not have proper documentation.

— sarah mearhoff, Teen Vogue, "A Texas County Is Closing an ICE-Run Immigrant Detention Center," 27 June 2018
Emails and other communications between government employees obtained by E&E News reveal directives and orders by Trump officials to shelve environmental policies to speed energy development.

— zack colman, Scientific American, "A Trump Oil Boom Could Transform This Rocky Mountain Landscape," 13 July 2018
The asylum rules solidify U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions' earlier directive instructing immigration judges to all but stop considering claims of domestic violence and gang violence as reasons for granting asylum.

— pamela ren larson, azcentral, "Trump administration issues new asylum rules aimed at families arriving at border," 13 July 2018
Even Amazon’s Echo wakes up when it isn’t needed, and can misinterpret family chatter as a directive to fire off seemingly random messages.

— christopher mims, WSJ, "All Ears: Always-On Listening Devices Could Soon Be Everywhere," 12 July 2018
Failure to comply with rules or a board directive could result in the board levying fines or seeking a declaration from a circuit court to prohibit the transmission of smoke.

— howard dakoff, chicagotribune.com, "In condo association, what's the difference between a committee and a commission?," 3 July 2018