directive

American  

[dih-rek-tiv, dahy-] / dɪˈrɛk tɪv, daɪ- /

adjective

1. serving to direct; directing.

   a directive board.

2. Psychology. pertaining to a type of psychotherapy in which the therapist actively offers advice and information rather than dealing only with information supplied by the patient.

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noun

1. an authoritative instruction or direction; specific order.

   a new directive by the president on foreign aid.

directive British  

/ daɪ-, dɪˈrɛktɪv /

noun

1. an instruction; order

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adjective

1. tending to direct; directing

2. indicating direction

Other Word Forms

• self-directive adjective

Etymology

Origin of directive

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word dīrēctīvus. See direct, -ive

Example Sentences

In addition to a will or trust, consider a durable financial power of attorney, a healthcare proxy, and advance healthcare directive.

From MarketWatch

His estate announced on Wednesday that it has "commenced a formal sale process" for the franchise "consistent with Allen's directive to eventually sell his sports holdings and direct all estate proceeds to philanthropy".

From BBC

Since Allen’s death, in 2018, the team had been placed in a trust overseen by his sister, Jody Allen, with a directive to sell off his sports assets and direct the proceeds to charity.

From The Wall Street Journal

CBS has disputed Colbert's account, saying that the network only "provided legal guidance" that broadcasting the interview could violate the FCC directive.

From Barron's

Shah wrote that while he may not have jurisdiction to block a simple grant termination, he did have jurisdiction to halt an administration directive to terminate funding based on unconstitutional grounds.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• decree
• edict
• injunction
• mandate
• memo
• memorandum
• message
• notice
• order
• regulation
• ruling