directional

[ dih-rek-shuh-nl, dahy- ]

/ dɪˈrɛk ʃə nl, daɪ- /

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adjective

of, relating to, or indicating direction in space.

Radio. adapted for determining the direction of signals received, or for transmitting signals in a given direction: a directional antenna.

of, relating to, or providing guidance or leadership.

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Origin of directional

First recorded in 1605–15; direction + -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM directional

di·rec·tion·al·i·ty, noundi·rec·tion·al·ly, adverbun·di·rec·tion·al, adjective

Words nearby directional

direct free kick, direct-grant school, direct injection, direct input, direction, directional, directional derivative, directional drilling, directional microphone, direction angle, direction cosine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use directional in a sentence

Drizly is attractive because of its ability to provide marketers with a “directional view into how media investment is driving sales.”
‘Order booze from your phone’: Why brands like Guinness, Babe Wine see advertising value on Drizly|Kimeko McCoy|February 11, 2021|Digiday
The Sport Open Earbuds rely on Bose’s OpenAudio tech, which involves pumping directional audio into the ear using a single transducer in each enclosure.
Bose built a new kind of workout earbud to keep you safe while you sweat|Stan Horazek|January 5, 2021|Popular-Science
Skins, or strips of fabric made of directional nylon or mohair fibers, are also necessary.
A Beginner’s Guide to Splitboarding|Amelia Arvesen|December 26, 2020|Outside Online
That includes, he says, cleaning protocols, upgraded air filters and filtration systems, occupancy maximums on elevators and directional signage within common areas and office spaces.
5 ways the post-pandemic office will look very different|Mitra Kalita|December 9, 2020|Fortune

There is a stereotype that people use live-streaming platforms to play video games or perform for an audience in a one-directional interaction.
How AOC showed politicians the power of live-streaming|matthewheimer|December 8, 2020|Fortune
Less than 24 hours after the news leaked, all directional jokes have officially been cracked.
North West: Behind Kim and Kanye’s Odd Baby Name Choice|Pamela Redmond Satran/Nameberry, Linda Rosenkrantz|June 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In Milan, one of the most directional designers in recent seasons has been Raf Simons of Jil Sander.
Milan’s Day-Glo Exuberance|Robin Givhan|September 26, 2011|DAILY BEAST
I was very determined to make it fashion-forward and directional and relevant.
MTV's Mr. Nice Guy|Enid Portuguez|April 26, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Clinton, the omni-directional apologizer, declared that America owed no apology to Japan for using the atomic bomb.
Go to Hiroshima|James Carroll|October 31, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Historical destinies are directional, not precisely preordained.
America Hits the Reset Button|Kurt Andersen|July 28, 2009|DAILY BEAST
But we can't control the directional and dimensional scope of the warp.
Circus|Alan Edward Nourse
Suddenly Jimmy heard a sharp signal, sounding above the dull buzz of the directional beacon.
The Flying Reporter|Lewis E. (Lewis Edwin) Theiss
Directional Stability is its stability about its vertical axis, and without which it would have no tendency to keep its course.
The Aeroplane Speaks|H. Barber
Such a condition will cause the aeroplane to lose its directional stability and also to fly one wing down.
The Aeroplane Speaks|H. Barber
Lateral Stability is far more difficult for the designer to secure than is longitudinal or directional stability.
The Aeroplane Speaks|H. Barber

British Dictionary definitions for directional

directional

/ (dɪˈrɛkʃənəl, daɪ-) /

adjective

of or relating to a spatial direction

electronics

having or relating to an increased sensitivity to radio waves, sound waves, nuclear particles, etc, coming from a particular direction
(of an aerial) transmitting or receiving radio waves more effectively in some directions than in others

physics electronics

concentrated in, following, or producing motion in a particular direction
indicating direction

indicating the direction something, such as a fashion trend, might takedirectional fashion looks

Derived forms of directional

directionality, noun

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