directive

[dih-rek-tiv, dahy-]

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.

noun

1. an authoritative instruction or direction; specific order.

   a new directive by the president on foreign aid.

directive

/ daɪ-, dɪˈrɛktɪv /

noun

1. an instruction; order

adjective

1. tending to direct; directing

2. indicating direction

Other Word Forms

• self-directive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of directive¹

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

Example Sentences

It was the first executive civil-rights directive since Reconstruction, and the first federal act to promote equal opportunity in the workplace and prohibit employment discrimination.

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The camp won an exemption from the directive, according to court documents viewed by The Wall Street Journal.

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Even as I recognized the limitations of that prime directive, I initially felt a vague uneasiness about my appreciation of the virtue of doing nothing.

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He said the directive to his troops is clear to “not stand idly by, and do everything in your power to prevent any act of nationalist crime.”

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Parrish told ProPublica she had collected evidence that “shows ongoing and persistent activity” outside the facility that under statute and police directive “would be considered riotous, unlawful assembly and/or disorderly conduct.”

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Related Words

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