guidance

American  

[gahyd-ns] / ˈgaɪd ns /

noun

guidances plural

1. the act or function of guiding; leadership; direction.

   Synonyms:

   government, control, supervision, conduct, management

2. advice or counseling, especially that provided for students choosing a course of study or preparing for a vocation.

3. supervised care or assistance, especially therapeutic help in the treatment of minor emotional disturbances.

4. something that guides.

5. the process by which the flight of a missile or rocket may be altered in speed and direction in response to controls situated either wholly in the projectile or partly at a base.

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guidance British  

/ ˈɡaɪdəns /

noun

1. leadership, instruction, or direction

2. 1. counselling or advice on educational, vocational, or psychological matters

   2. ( as modifier )

      the marriage-guidance counsellor

3. something that guides

4. any process by which the flight path of a missile is controlled in flight See also guided missile

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonguidance
  noun
• preguidance
  noun
• self-guidance
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• guidances
  plural

Etymology

Origin of guidance

First recorded in 1765–75; guide + -ance

Explanation

Guidance can mean steering (like the navigation system in a satellite) or the act of providing direction (like a guidance counselor does). Back in the 1530s, guidance started out meaning "the process of directing conduct," similar to what we think of when we think of parents, mentors, or counselors. If you've ever asked a friend for advice on what to wear, you were seeking their guidance. But guidance also applies to physical direction. We might use a global positioning system (GPS) for guidance when we drive. Years ago, sailors relied on the stars for guidance. Sherpas provide guidance to climbers hiking Mt. Everest so they don't get lost.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

guidance guidances

The guidance came as the company recorded higher sales in its latest quarter, coming in a notch above analysts’ expectations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

Looking ahead, the company raised its 2026 guidance ranges for EPS to $29.95 to $30.65 from $29.35 to $30.25 and for sales to $79.75 billion to $81.75 billion from $77.5 billion to $80 billion.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026

SAP posted higher second-quarter revenue but lowered its operating profit guidance for the current fiscal year, citing decelerating growth.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

The upped guidance reflects confidence “that our strategy is gaining momentum, and we will continue to produce sustained profitable growth over the next few years,” Taiclet said in a call with analysts following results.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026

This NAfME post addresses both issues and gives guidance to mediate its effects in the classroom.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

American Airlines and Southwest Airlines tempered their guidances for the year to reflect volatile fuel prices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

The Labor Department spokeswoman said, “OSHA’s current guidances, standards and regulations fully outline the rights and protections of workers from dangers such as the coronavirus.”

From New York Times ● Apr. 22, 2020

"Administrations come and go, and so do guidances, and there's not a permanency there," she said.

From Science Magazine ● Jan. 9, 2020

In public hearings, they decried the guidances as a violation of patients’ rights to use their own cells to treat their conditions.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 3, 2019

Diligent to flatter the lion; will provide him guidances, and fractional sustenances, in view of the coming hunt; will eat the lion's leavings, once the prey is slaughtered.

From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 19 by Carlyle, Thomas

Related Words

• advice
• direction
• instruction
• intelligence
• leadership
• management
• navigation
• supervision
• teaching