director

noun

di·​rec·​tor də-ˈrek-tər How to pronounce director (audio)
dī-
: one who directs: such as
a
: the head of an organized group or administrative unit (such as a bureau or school)
director of religious education
a communications director
b
: one of a group of persons entrusted with the overall direction of a corporate enterprise
on the board of directors for a large corporation
c
: a person who supervises the production of a show (as for stage or screen) usually with responsibility for action, lighting, music, and rehearsals
a famous Hollywood director
d
directorship noun

Examples of director in a Sentence

The company will hire a new director of marketing. She's the director of graduate studies at the university. She's considered one of the best young directors in Hollywood.
Recent Examples on the Web Less than 2% of directors in S&P 500 companies are under 45. Kevin Korte, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Hathaway’s anniversary tribute to the film comes after speaking earlier this year about the pivotal part director Nolan, 54, played in helping with her career after facing significant scrutiny online. Escher Walcott, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024 They are required to pay a licensing fee within 15 days, or else forfeit the ability to receive a license, said Sam Flynn, the executive director of the Office of Medical Cannabis. Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 28 Oct. 2024 Erica York, a senior economist and research director at the Tax Foundation, echoed that view. Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for director 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'director.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see direct entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near director

Cite this Entry

“Director.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/director. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

director

noun
di·​rec·​tor də-ˈrek-tər How to pronounce director (audio)
dī-
: one that directs: as
a
: one of a group of persons who direct the business of an organized body (as a corporation)
the board of directors
b
: one that guides the making of a show (as for stage or screen)
directorial
də-ˌrek-ˈtōr-ē-əl
(ˌ)dī-
-ˈtȯr-
adjective
directorship noun

Medical Definition

director

noun
di·​rec·​tor də-ˈrek-tər, dī- How to pronounce director (audio)
: an instrument grooved to guide and limit the motion of a surgical knife

Legal Definition

director

noun
di·​rec·​tor
1
: the head of an organized group or administrative unit or agency
2
: any of a group of persons usually elected by shareholders and entrusted with the overall control of a corporation

Note: Directors owe a fiduciary duty to the shareholders in the exercise of their powers. Directors have the power to appoint and dismiss officers, declare and pay dividends on stock, initiate major corporate actions such as mergers or dissolution, and determine other matters affecting the corporation.

directorship noun

More from Merriam-Webster on director

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