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

Dr Turner's Hertfordshire practice started complying with a new government directive to offer online booking for non-urgent appointments across England in September.

From BBC

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued a similar directive restricting flights operating near Venezuela.

From The Wall Street Journal

If you do not wish to be on life support, for example, this advanced healthcare directive would say so.

From MarketWatch

Schools, banks and public institutions have been closed with officials saying the directive was due to the cold weather and the need to save energy.

From Barron's

Greer recently threatened External link tariff hikes or other measures if the EU didn’t ease up on “discriminatory and harassing lawsuits, taxes, fines, and directives” against U.S. technology.

From Barron's

Related Words

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