directory

1 of 2

adjective

di·​rec·​to·​ry də-ˈrek-t(ə-)rē 

dī-

: serving to direct

specifically : providing advisory but not compulsory guidance

directory

2 of 2

noun

plural directories

1

a

: a book or collection of directions, rules, or ordinances

b

: an alphabetical or classified list (as of names and addresses)

2

: a body of directors

3

: folder sense 3b

Examples of directory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Cheers to the deserving winners who have earned their place in this directory of exceptional wines! —Sunset Staff, Sunset Magazine, 15 Nov. 2023

Insurers are supposed to keep their provider directories up to date. —Julie Appleby, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2023

There’s nothing left here from 1834, the year of the city directory that has the shoemaker living on the east side of Fourth Street SE. —John Kelly, Washington Post, 3 Oct. 2023

This has been created as part of the store-wide creative scheme Yellow Pages, which reimagines Selfridges as a directory of now and showcases the latest in fashion, design, and culture. —Laura Hawkins, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2023

For regional guides to the standout street murals and extensive directories of music and theater venues as well as the dozens of galleries and museums throughout the city, go to visitoakland.com. —By sunset, Sunset Magazine, 5 Oct. 2023

For instance, there are still no New York State managed care plans with a lactation consultant in their directory, which is a disgrace. —Andrea Ippolito, STAT, 1 Sep. 2023

Waymark’s platform is also included in the creative directories of major streaming platforms Hulu and Roku, where ad managers can utilize Waymark’s technology to create top-tier video ads. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 28 Sep. 2023

For our definitive directory to travel in the West, click here. —Hugh Garvey, Sunset Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English directorie guide, from Medieval Latin directorium, from neuter of Late Latin directorius directorial, from Latin dirigere

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing directory

• directory enquiries
• ex-directory
• sub-directory
• directory assistance
• go ex-directory
• phone directory
• telephone directory

• directory enquiries
• ex-directory
• sub-directory
• directory assistance
• go ex-directory
• phone directory
• telephone directory

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Kids Definition

directory

noun

di·​rec·​to·​ry

də-ˈrek-t(ə-)rē,

dī-

plural directories

: an alphabetical list containing names and addresses