bidirectional

American  

[bahy-di-rek-shuh-nl, -dahy-] / ˌbaɪ dɪˈrɛk ʃə nl, -daɪ- /

adjective

1. capable of reacting or functioning in two, usually opposite, directions.

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bidirectional British  

/ ˌbaɪdɪˈrɛkʃənəl /

adjective

1. computing (of a printhead) capable of printing from left to right and from right to left

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Other Word Forms

• bidirectionality noun
• bidirectionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of bidirectional

First recorded in 1940–45; bi- ¹ + directional

Example Sentences

With some added bits the unit is capable of bidirectional charging, allowing your car to act as a home backup battery.

From The Wall Street Journal

In “Super Agers,” Topol writes at length about the bidirectional communication between gut hormones and the brain, and calls it critical to healthy immune function.

From Los Angeles Times

The company plans to eventually offer an on-demand ride-hailing service using purpose-built autonomous vehicles with no steering wheel and bidirectional capability.

From Los Angeles Times

A new paper led by a Concordia researcher examines how social isolation, loneliness and frailty affect one another and the bidirectional relationship they exert as an individual gets older.

From Science Daily

“We have a bidirectional relationship between financial stress and mental health,” Abramson said.

From Salon