directional

American  

[dih-rek-shuh-nl, dahy-] / dɪˈrɛk ʃə nl, daɪ- /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or indicating direction in space.

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

   a directional antenna.

3. of, relating to, or providing guidance or leadership.

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directional British  

/ dɪˈrɛkʃənəl, daɪ- /

adjective

1. of or relating to a spatial direction

2. electronics

   1. having or relating to an increased sensitivity to radio waves, sound waves, nuclear particles, etc, coming from a particular direction

   2. (of an aerial) transmitting or receiving radio waves more effectively in some directions than in others

3. physics electronics

   1. concentrated in, following, or producing motion in a particular direction

   2. indicating direction

4. indicating the direction something, such as a fashion trend, might take

   directional fashion looks

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Other Word Forms

• directionality
  noun
• undirectional
  adjective
• directionally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of directional

First recorded in 1605–15; direction + -al ¹

Example Sentences

"It was previously known that the directional information in the waggle dance is not entirely accurate," explains Straw.

From Science Daily • Jun. 14, 2026

Our financial adviser wants us to invest our money in an annuity with dual directional indexed accounts.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

“Bollinger Band width remains relatively subdued, and when paired with a break below the lower band, it often signals the start of a new directional move.”

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

"The transition is no longer directional but substantive," India's automobile dealers association said in a press note recently.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

Every evening Werner works in Dr. Hauptmann’s lab, alternately plugging numbers into triangulation formulas or engineering: Hauptmann wants him to improve the efficiency and power of a directional radio transceiver he is designing.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr