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

“This momentum appears relentless, and for us, the question is not the directional view but how long market participants can finance these gains,” it added.

From The Wall Street Journal

For 109 years, residents have used directional descriptors — City Hall is on the east side of Monte Verde Street between Ocean and 7th avenues — instead of building numbers.

From Los Angeles Times

OpenAI’s chief financial officer, Sarah Friar, further explained the rationale behind the company’s directional shift in a blog post on Sunday.

From MarketWatch

The second is the Treasury issuing bills to fund a buyback of longer issues, which is directionally similar to the Fed’s Operation Twist in 2011 and 2012.

From Barron's

“If mortgage rates on average started with a five—especially in the spring selling season, instead of 6.2% or above—directionally, that’s much better for housing,” he said.

From Barron's