direction
noun
di·rec·tion
də-ˈrek-shən 
dī-
1
: guidance or supervision of action or conduct : management
working under the direction of the doctor
2
archaic
: the address placed on the outside of a letter or package to be delivered : superscription
3
a
: an explicit instruction : order
carefully read the directions
follow directions
b
: assistance in pointing out the proper route
—usually used in plural
asked for directions to the beach
4
: the line or course on which something is moving or is aimed to move or along which something is pointing or facing
came from the opposite direction
walking in the same direction
5
archaic
: directorate sense 1
6
7
a
: the art and technique of supervising the production of a show or performance : the art and technique of directing an orchestra, band, or a show (as for stage or screen)
b
music
: a word, phrase, or sign indicating the appropriate tempo, mood, or intensity of a passage (see passage entry 1 sense 6b) or movement (see movement sense 4c)
directionlessness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of direction in a Sentence
The army attacked from three different directions.
Down the road, he could see a bus coming from the opposite direction.
The wind changed direction and started blowing in our faces.
Carefully read the directions before you begin the test.
Directions appear on the package.
We had to stop to ask for directions to the beach.
Excuse me. Could you please give me directions to the movie theater?
He was put in charge and given overall direction of the program.
Twenty-three employees work under her direction.
Several nurses working under the direction of this doctor have made complaints.
Recent Examples on the Web
This might relate to travel or a chance to explore new directions in your life.
—
Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2024
General Elections: India is holding its multiphase general elections from April 19 to June 1, in a vote that will determine the political direction of the world’s most populous nation for the next five years.
—Samanth Subramanian Vikas Adam Tanya Pérez Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024
During the 1980s and 1990s, under the guidance of O’Brien’s replacement, David Stern, the NBA pushed further in this direction.
—TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
Coca-Cola Announces a New Permanent Flavor — 'Spiced' Soda with Raspberry Notes
Last month, Dr Pepper took creamy inspiration in a new direction with the help of Coffee Mate.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
Following the liberation of Paris, French designers took back the helms of fashion and steered the decade in a new direction.
—Vogue, 19 Apr. 2024
Quiet on Set marks one important step in that direction, but there’s so much more left to do.
—Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2024
That quarter to start 2023 also saw a significant slowdown across most categories of on-location production as decisions about future content direction were put on hold as the industry braced for a potential work stoppage.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
The hull was sold to the government of Dubai, and, under the direction of the country’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, work on the 531.5-footer began again, though this time by Platinum Yachts.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2024
Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2024
General Elections: India is holding its multiphase general elections from April 19 to June 1, in a vote that will determine the political direction of the world’s most populous nation for the next five years.
—Samanth Subramanian Vikas Adam Tanya Pérez Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024
During the 1980s and 1990s, under the guidance of O’Brien’s replacement, David Stern, the NBA pushed further in this direction.
—TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
Coca-Cola Announces a New Permanent Flavor — 'Spiced' Soda with Raspberry Notes
Last month, Dr Pepper took creamy inspiration in a new direction with the help of Coffee Mate.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
Following the liberation of Paris, French designers took back the helms of fashion and steered the decade in a new direction.
—Vogue, 19 Apr. 2024
Quiet on Set marks one important step in that direction, but there’s so much more left to do.
—Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2024
That quarter to start 2023 also saw a significant slowdown across most categories of on-location production as decisions about future content direction were put on hold as the industry braced for a potential work stoppage.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
The hull was sold to the government of Dubai, and, under the direction of the country’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, work on the 531.5-footer began again, though this time by Platinum Yachts.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'direction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near direction
Cite this Entry
“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/direction. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
direction
noun
di·rec·tion
də-ˈrek-shən
dī-
1
: guidance of action or conduct : management
many people working under my direction
direction of a play
2
: an instruction, indication, or order given with authority
follow directions
3
: the line or course along which something moves, lies, or points
headed in a northerly direction
4
: tendency sense 1, trend
a new direction in literature
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