guidance

American  

[gahyd-ns] / ˈgaɪd ns /

noun

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

• preguidance
  noun
• self-guidance
  noun
• nonguidance
  noun

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

The company said it doesn’t expect to book any significant cost from the termination of the study, and that its guidance for 2026 remains unchanged.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

Hence, focus is on the BOJ’s guidance regarding future policy rate path at next week’s meeting, Yamada adds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

It also announced that, for the first time, the UK's official guidance would "explicitly advise businesses against economic and financial activity in illegal settlements".

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Vail Resorts dropped 4.3% after the mountain resorts company said ski pass sales have dropped for the upcoming North American winter season and it cut fiscal-year guidance.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

In her eyes, we were a class of “bad kids,” though we had no guidance and no structure and had been sentenced to a grim, underlit room in the basement of the school.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

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