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.

---

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

---

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

If he does not wish to be on life support, for example, this advance-healthcare directive would say so.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

That directive was put on hold by a federal court judge while a legal challenge by Anthropic works its way through the courts.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

After awakening, the biome’s newly cultivated gut flora will respond to your neurological directive, allowing you to ultimately control when — and where — your wind breaks.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Judge Rita F. Lin ordered the administration to stop applying the president’s directive and provide a compliance report by April 6.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Like most advice on style that is couched as a commandment rather than an explanation, the flat directive to avoid negations is almost useless.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

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