guidance

American  

[gahyd-ns] / ˈgaɪd ns /

noun

• guidances
  plural

1. the act or function of guiding; leadership; direction.

   Synonyms:

   government, control, supervision, conduct, management

2. advice or counseling, especially that provided for students choosing a course of study or preparing for a vocation.

3. supervised care or assistance, especially therapeutic help in the treatment of minor emotional disturbances.

4. something that guides.

5. the process by which the flight of a missile or rocket may be altered in speed and direction in response to controls situated either wholly in the projectile or partly at a base.

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guidance British  

/ ˈɡaɪdəns /

noun

1. leadership, instruction, or direction

2. 1. counselling or advice on educational, vocational, or psychological matters

   2. ( as modifier )

      the marriage-guidance counsellor

3. something that guides

4. any process by which the flight path of a missile is controlled in flight See also guided missile

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonguidance
  noun
• preguidance
  noun
• self-guidance
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• guidances
  plural

Etymology

Origin of guidance

First recorded in 1765–75; guide + -ance

Explanation

Guidance can mean steering (like the navigation system in a satellite) or the act of providing direction (like a guidance counselor does). Back in the 1530s, guidance started out meaning "the process of directing conduct," similar to what we think of when we think of parents, mentors, or counselors. If you've ever asked a friend for advice on what to wear, you were seeking their guidance. But guidance also applies to physical direction. We might use a global positioning system (GPS) for guidance when we drive. Years ago, sailors relied on the stars for guidance. Sherpas provide guidance to climbers hiking Mt. Everest so they don't get lost.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

guidance guidances

Nevertheless, it illustrates how future rehabilitation systems might provide personalized guidance without requiring a room full of cameras and laboratory equipment.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

His call for screening guidance to be urgently updated is backed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and charity Bipolar UK.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

Treasury is still working on guidance on which K-12 education expenses are covered.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

And those who remain frequently question how much guidance they can offer in a landscape where the rules have become unrecognizable and technology is moving faster than they can keep up.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

Pong became a "baby monk" and began training under Father Cham's guidance.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

Warren suggested that Venturella’s recusal related to “particular matters” involving Geo Group would allow him to still play a role in developing policies, directives and guidances that could present a conflict of interest.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026

The Labor Department spokeswoman said, “OSHA’s current guidances, standards and regulations fully outline the rights and protections of workers from dangers such as the coronavirus.”

From New York Times ● Apr. 22, 2020

“Administrations come and go, and so do guidances, and there’s not a permanency there,” she said.

From Scientific American ● Jan. 9, 2020

"Administrations come and go, and so do guidances, and there's not a permanency there," she said.

From Science Magazine ● Jan. 9, 2020

In seeking to understand and to give an exposition of this scheme of faith, we have, besides various collateral aids, three chief guidances.

From The Destiny of the Soul A Critical History of the Doctrine of a Future Life by William Rounseville Alger

Related Words

• advice
• direction
• instruction
• intelligence
• leadership
• management
• navigation
• supervision
• teaching