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

Sentiment towards the memory chip makers was dented Wednesday by weaker-than-expected guidance from U.S. peer Sandisk.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026

Germany’s Merck MRK -0.92%decrease; red down pointing triangle KGaA raised its full-year guidance for the second quarter in a row, citing a robust performance and easing foreign-exchange headwinds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

Driven by social media hype and a growing distrust of public health guidance, consumer demand for experimental peptides has exploded over the last decade.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

N Chandrasekaran, Air India chairman, said: "Having completed the initial phase of stabilisation, integration, and fleet commitments under Campbell's guidance, Air India is now entering a critical execution and expansion era."

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

She is the guidance counselor/social worker/lover of poetry who has been our advisor since my freshman year.

From "Watch Us Rise" by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan

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

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

Diligent to flatter the lion; will provide him guidances, and fractional sustenances, in view of the coming hunt; will eat the lion's leavings, once the prey is slaughtered.

From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 19 by Carlyle, Thomas

Related Words

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