redirect
Americanverb (used with object)
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to direct again.
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to change the direction or focus of.
He redirected the children's energies toward building a sand castle instead of throwing sand at each other.
adjective
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of redirect
Explanation
When you redirect something, you point it in a different direction. If your dog keeps licking your friends' knees, you might have to redirect her attention to a squeaky toy. Beavers can famously redirect the flow of water in a stream or river by building dams that divert the flow in a new direction. The very best elementary school teachers are experts at redirecting the attention of young kids, like when a music teacher redirects a class's energy into an enthusiastic round of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." The direct part of redirect comes from the Latin dirigere, "set straight."
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.
DR Congo's second group fixture against Colombia will take place in Guadalajara, and the bulk of Congolese fans are now expected to redirect their travel plans to Mexico.
From BBC • May 26, 2026
NASA's Psyche spacecraft has successfully completed a close flyby of Mars, using the planet's gravity to gain speed and redirect its path toward the asteroid Psyche.
From Science Daily • May 26, 2026
Pratt’s handling of criticism reflects his years of practice as a reality TV villain: deflect and redirect without breaking a sweat.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
Naturally, Schmidt pivoted by telling the kids they just need to take control and redirect all these world-defining shifts on their own.
From Slate • May 20, 2026
“The Director is off-site today. That’s why I was able to redirect a few things. But don’t think you’re safe. Not even with me by your side. Not for a second. Do you understand?”
From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed
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.
