bidirectional

American

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

adjective

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

bidirectional British

/ ˌbaɪdɪˈrɛkʃənəl /

adjective

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

bidirectionality noun
bidirectionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of bidirectional

First recorded in 1940–45; bi- ¹ + 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.

Last month, Tims installed a transfer switch and a bidirectional EV charger for a customer to use a Cybertruck, equivalent to more than six Powerwalls.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

Zoox is aiming to launch a commercial ride-hailing service similar to Uber and Lyft that relies on its purpose-built bidirectional vehicles.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2025

There’s a bidirectional relationship underway here; the growth of online goods and services is both the symptom and cause of a disappointing physical world.

From Slate • Nov. 26, 2024

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

From Salon • Sep. 25, 2024

The results reveal a bidirectional association between perinatal depression and autoimmune thyroiditis, psoriasis, MS, ulcerative colitis, and coeliac disease.

From Science Daily • Jan. 8, 2024

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