multidirectional

American

[muhl-tee-di-rek-shuh-nl, -dahy-rek-, muhl-tahy-] / ˌmʌl ti dɪˈrɛk ʃə nl, -daɪˈrɛk-, ˌmʌl taɪ- /

adjective

extending or operating in several directions at the same time; functioning or going in more than one direction.

a multidirectional stereo speaker system.

Etymology

Origin of multidirectional

First recorded in 1940–45; multi- + directional

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.

These organs have a complex and multidirectional communication system that touches everything from our gastrointestinal tract to the nervous system.

From Science Daily • May 8, 2024

It is a multidirectional offensive covered by not so much a fog of war, but a cloud of confusion and diversion.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2023

To increase the empire’s wealth and dissipate potential restless energy that might be turned on him, he undertook multidirectional expansion.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

New multidirectional horizontal or vertical mounting wall sconce lights can brighten up any bathroom — in more ways than one!

From Seattle Times • Nov. 14, 2022

Out the door, up the stairs, down the hall to one of those multidirectional elevators, and finally we arrive at Special Defense.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023