directed

American  

[dih-rek-tid, dahy-] / dɪˈrɛk tɪd, daɪ- /

adjective

1. guided, regulated, or managed.

   a carefully directed program.

2. subject to direction, guidance, regulation, etc.

3. pointed, aimed, or sent toward a place or object.

   Rooms need to have high air exchange rates, rapid air velocities, and directed airflows to minimize particle concentration.

4. Mathematics. (of an angle or vector) having positive or negative direction or orientation assigned.

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directed British  

/ daɪ-, dɪˈrɛktɪd /

adjective

1. maths (of a number, line, or angle) having either a positive or negative sign to distinguish measurement in one direction or orientation from that in the opposite direction or orientation

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Other Word Forms

• directedness
  noun
• overdirected
  adjective
• self-directed
  adjective
• well-directed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of directed

First recorded in 1530–40; direct + -ed ²

Example Sentences

By 2 p.m., a flashing sign at the entrance to Curry Village advised that the parking lot was full and directed people to try their luck elsewhere.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Inside the newly designed LEDs, electrical charges are directed into the 9-ACA molecules instead of the nanoparticles themselves.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

In late March, the western state of Gujarat directed utility Tata Power to restart a facility that runs on imported coal.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

"The President has directed federal agencies to review interpretive materials to ensure accuracy, honesty, and alignment with shared national values," the department told AFP by e-mail.

From Barron's • May 17, 2026

I looked for dorsal fins in the water, as Mr. Patterson directed Sookie around the islands.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

Related Words

• conducted