directional

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

/ dɪˈrɛk ʃə nl, daɪ- /

Save This Word!

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.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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. 2023

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