stage direction

American  

noun

1. an instruction written into the script of a play, indicating stage actions, movements of performers, or production requirements.

2. the art or technique of a stage director.

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stage direction British  

noun

1. an instruction to an actor or director, written into the script of a play

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stage direction Cultural  

1. Part of the script of a play that tells the actors how they are to move or to speak their lines. Enter, exit, and exeunt are stage directions.

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Etymology

Origin of stage direction

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

stage direction

She "looked suitably humbled and tearful" as she emerged, he said, going on to praise the stage direction.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

The use of stage direction as couples therapy is one of the more poignant sequences in a film that tends to dance along the line separating the farcical from the bittersweet.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 3, 2026

Mirren: And that was in the stage direction?

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 13, 2023

I think that the singers became much more comfortable with the stage direction, and I think Bob became much more comfortable with the singers.

From New York Times ● Feb. 15, 2023

They were in Julius Caesar now and the stage direction “Alarum” confused Katie.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith