redirect

American  

[ree-di-rekt, -dahy-] / ˌri dɪˈrɛkt, -daɪ- /

verb (used with object)

1. to direct again.

2. to change the direction or focus of.

   He redirected the children's energies toward building a sand castle instead of throwing sand at each other.

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adjective

1. Law. pertaining to the examination of a witness by the party who called them, after cross-examination.

redirect British  

/ ˌriːdaɪ-, ˌriːdɪˈrɛkt /

verb

1. to direct (someone or something) to a different place or by a different route

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Other Word Forms

• redirection noun

Etymology

Origin of redirect

First recorded in 1835–45; re- + direct

Explanation

When you redirect something, you point it in a different direction. If your dog keeps licking your friends' knees, you might have to redirect her attention to a squeaky toy. Beavers can famously redirect the flow of water in a stream or river by building dams that divert the flow in a new direction. The very best elementary school teachers are experts at redirecting the attention of young kids, like when a music teacher redirects a class's energy into an enthusiastic round of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." The direct part of redirect comes from the Latin dirigere, "set straight."

Example Sentences

When companies face pressure to increase shareholder returns, these characteristics make spending on research an obvious place to trim or redirect — even if no one says it explicitly.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Consultants and other senior doctors deployed in A&E are able to assess quickly whether patients need urgent treatment or whether it is safe to redirect them to other community health services.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

A moratorium signals uncertainty to companies deciding where to build, and in a fast-moving sector, even a temporary pause can redirect projects permanently.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

"The less fuel we use in the cities obviously the more we can redirect to regionals areas that are under pressure," he told reporters in Canberra.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

“The Director is off-site today. That’s why I was able to redirect a few things. But don’t think you’re safe. Not even with me by your side. Not for a second. Do you understand?”

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed

Related Words

• change
• convert
• move
• return
• shift
• swing
• switch
• transform
• twist