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

It was developed with guidance from an advisory board that included Huerta, academics and other experts on immigration history.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

Her comments come just days after the Education Department issued new guidance telling schools to evaluate educational technology based on evidence that it improves student outcomes.

From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2026

Penn State researchers contributed expertise and guidance for modeling the light detected from the galaxy systems.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 22, 2026

The society said climate change has accelerated dramatically since some of the current habitat management guidance was written.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

“As herders we’re supposed to be a source of guidance, but we’re doing nothing to help the sheep,” I say.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

American Airlines and Southwest Airlines tempered their guidances for the year to reflect volatile fuel prices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 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

Within months, the FDA would also finalize guidances making clear the kind of fat-derived treatment offered by U.S.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 3, 2019

Draft guidances FDA issued in 2014 and 2015 seemed to narrow the set of exempted therapies, but those have yet to be finalized.

From Science Magazine ● Aug. 3, 2017

The movement was a severe strain on the loyalty of the Welshman to the Tudors, but he had learnt to look to the king for guidances and he suffered in silence.

From Short History of Wales by Sir Owen Morgan Edwards

Related Words

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