unidirectional

adjective

uni·​di·​rec·​tion·​al ˌyü-ni-də-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nəl 

-dī-

1

: involving, functioning, moving, or responsive in a single direction

a unidirectional microphone

2

: not subject to change or reversal of direction

unidirectionally adverb

Examples of unidirectional in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the tropics, food webs are less unidirectional—vertebrates that normally eat invertebrates such as insects and arachnids can easily find the tables turned. —Jake Buehler, Scientific American, 21 May 2026

Sony delivers the audio through new 30mm unidirectional carbon drivers, exclusive to these headphones and not the same as those found in the XM6. —Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 19 May 2026

If frequency varies suddenly or power is lost, these unidirectional systems provide almost instantaneous, short-term backup power to the equipment inside the data center. —IEEE Spectrum, 29 Apr. 2026

Birds evolved unidirectional airflow and air sacs for high-energy flight. —Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing unidirectional

• unidirectional current

Rhymes for unidirectional

• multidirectional
• omnidirectional
• affectional
• correctional
• directional
• inflectional
• bidirectional
• intersectional
• sectional

Medical Definition

unidirectional

adjective

uni·​di·​rec·​tion·​al ˌyü-ni-də-ˈrek-shnəl, -dī-, -shən-ᵊl 

: involving, functioning, moving, or responsive in a single direction

unidirectionally

-ē 

adverb