directional

American  

[dih-rek-shuh-nl, dahy-] / dɪˈrɛk ʃə nl, daɪ- /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or indicating direction in space.

2. Radio. adapted for determining the direction of signals received, or for transmitting signals in a given direction.

   a directional antenna.

3. of, relating to, or providing guidance or leadership.

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directional British  

/ dɪˈrɛkʃənəl, daɪ- /

adjective

1. of or relating to a spatial direction

2. electronics

   1. having or relating to an increased sensitivity to radio waves, sound waves, nuclear particles, etc, coming from a particular direction

   2. (of an aerial) transmitting or receiving radio waves more effectively in some directions than in others

3. physics electronics

   1. concentrated in, following, or producing motion in a particular direction

   2. indicating direction

4. indicating the direction something, such as a fashion trend, might take

   directional fashion looks

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Other Word Forms

• directionality
  noun
• directionally
  adverb
• undirectional
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of directional

First recorded in 1605–15; direction + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Directional sensors and outward-facing or eye-tracking cameras can collect detailed contextual information, including your bodily orientation and where your gaze is focused.

From The Verge • Sep. 3, 2020

Directional Kentucky … we’ll say that Michigan’s the bigger football state and go Michigan over Kentucky.

From Golf Digest • Dec. 20, 2019

Directional drilling allowed developers to reach the shale, then turn the drill bit axis from perpendicular to longitudinal and lay pipes for a mile, sometimes two, through the thick shale seams.

From Salon • Aug. 5, 2019

Directional signs installed around Peter Minuit Plaza, which abuts the south end of the park, already bear the shortened name.

From New York Times • May 27, 2015

Directional components in the flight at Tampico on three nights in 1948.

From A Quantitative Study of the Nocturnal Migration of Birds. Vol.3 No.2 by George H. Lowery.