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

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

Maxim, 49, said the health ministry directive was only a recommendation.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

In practice, instances when parents are spared are becoming increasingly rare, said Andrew Lorenzen-Strait, a former ICE official who oversaw implementation of the directive at ICE during the Obama and first Trump administrations.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

The team had received a directive from up top that they were to upgrade the company’s most affordable diaper line, one of its most popular franchises in America.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

This double demand is a major justification for the prime directive “Omit needless words.”

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

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