directive
Americannoun
adjective
-
tending to direct; directing
-
indicating direction
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of directive
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word dīrēctīvus. See direct, -ive
Explanation
A directive is an order or official notice that comes from an authority. The directive from your boss instructing all employees to wear silly hats on Fridays might be hard to take seriously. Directives often come from employers, governments, supervisors, judges, or other authority figures. A math teacher might issue a directive to all students banning smart phones in the classroom after the school principal releases a directive instructing all math teachers to find ways to cut down on cheating during exams. Directive is also an adjective, meaning "helping to guide or manage."
Vocabulary lists containing directive
"When Do Kids Become Adults?" by Laurence Steinberg, et al.
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The Nazi Hunters
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The Unteachables
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
While both are legally binding, there is also a difference between a “do not resuscitate” directive and an advanced healthcare directive.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026
Part of that directive is to ensure the club remain compliant with domestic and European financial regulations.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026
“The parents learn the value of those interactions with their children. The importance of spending time truly talking, not just directive talk … but open-ended questions, using songs and rhymes, storytelling, descriptive language.”
From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026
She provided no reason for the directive but said she would “circle back if the guidance changes.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
The soldier repeated the directive, his voice more agitated.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
Filippi also claims he refused to comply with directives that he believed would put passengers in harm’s way and said that Kettle downplayed risks or dismissed them outright.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026
To be sure, the president and the executive branch are charged with lawfully implementing congressional directives about the dispersal of appropriated funds.
From Slate ● Sep. 8, 2026
Warren suggested that Venturella’s recusal related to “particular matters” involving Geo Group would allow him to still play a role in developing policies, directives and guidances that could present a conflict of interest.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
You have wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, long-term care insurance, organized records for your executor, and mutually agreed-upon beneficiary designations.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
Burnham issued stern directives to Olmsted and Ferris and to every contractor still at work.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
