directive

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

|Updated on: 19 Jun 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

European-level laws on money-laundering, and new rules such as MiFID 2, an EU directive for financial firms that came into force this year, also shape new habits, for example by making firms publish who gets paid for what services.

— The Economist, "European firms are increasingly tackling the scourge of bribery," 26 May 2018
In March, the EPA proposed changes to the Obama-era directive regulating coal ash waste, giving states and utilities more power to manage their own disposal of it.

— juana summers, CNN, "Key steps that Administrator Scott Pruitt has taken at EPA," 17 Apr. 2018
China had previously banned video spoofs and parodies in a March directive, a lot of which appeared on Duanzi.

— shannon liao, The Verge, "Chinese fans of banned parody app find each other offline using secret codes," 12 Apr. 2018
The directive, which sent U.S. stock futures tumbling, comes as representatives from Mexico, Canada and the U.S. are set to meet today in Washington amid growing signs of optimism about a Nafta breakthrough.

— Bloomberg.com, "Populist Godfather Faces Test for Europe," 6 Apr. 2018
Auburn administrators interpreted an NCAA directive as a mandate to meet with the coaching staff before the season, which the coaches vehemently disagreed with, and later proved not to be accurate.

— james crepea, AL.com, "The storm Auburn basketball weathered and why Bruce Pearl believes he'll come out the other side," 15 Mar. 2018
The January Times report said Trump ordered Mueller’s firing, but McGahn threatened to quit rather than conveying the directive to the Justice Department, and the president backed down.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "Did Trump Ask McGahn to Lie, Or Did He Forget He Tried to Fire Mueller?," 7 Mar. 2018
Or those opportunities may only be opening doors to the next stage of education, or to lives and/or careers in the military or directive pathways into careers in the workforce.

— The Aegis, "A transformative time [Editorial]," 1 June 2018
The legal document is called a living will, or advanced directive.

— cynthia sewell, idahostatesman, "4 women sue Idaho over law that voids your living will if you're pregnant," 31 May 2018