directional

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

/ dɪˈrɛk ʃə nl, daɪ- /

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.

Nearby words

direction, direction angle, direction cosine, direction finder, direction number, directional, directional derivative, directional drilling, directional microphone, directionless, directions

Origin of directional

First recorded in 1605–15; direction + -al¹

Related forms

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for directional

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
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
Lateral Stability is far more difficult for the designer to secure than is longitudinal or directional stability.
The Aeroplane Speaks|H. Barber
Suddenly, above the steady buzz of the directional beacon came the sharp signal of the Bellefonte marker beacon.
The Flying Reporter|Lewis E. (Lewis Edwin) Theiss
Class C: Directional relation changing periodically; velocity ratio constant or varying.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 8|Various
From the edge of this depression, rose the slender rod of a speaker, a small, directional loud-speaker blossoming from it.
The Best Made Plans|Everett B. Cole

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

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