direction — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A theoretical line (physically or mentally) followed from a point of origin or towards a destination. May be relative (e.g. up, left, outbound, dorsal), geographical (e.g. north), rotational (e.g. clockwise), or with respect to an object or location (e.g. toward Boston).

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Keep going in the same direction.

   More examples (2)

   Judge Short had gone to town, and Farrar was off for a three days' cruise up the lake. I was bitterly regretting I had not gone with him when the distant notes of a coach horn reached my ear, and I descried a four-in-hand winding its way up the inn road from the direction of Mohair.

   Just before Warwick reached Liberty Point, a young woman came down Front Street from the direction of the market-house. When their paths converged, Warwick kept on down Front Street behind her, it having been already his intention to walk in this direction.

2. A general trend for future action.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. Guidance, instruction.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The trombonist looked to the bandleader for direction.

4. The work of the director in cinema or theater; the skill of directing a film, play etc.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The screenplay was good, but the direction was weak.

5. The body of persons who guide or manage a matter; the directorate.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Dated
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   I shall not rest satisfied with merely employing my capital in insuring ships. I shall buy up some good Life Assurance shares, and cut into the Direction.

6. A person's address.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Her aunt Leonella was still at Cordova, and she knew not her direction.

Noun

1. a line leading to a place or point

   Synonyms

   way

   Broader terms

   pathrouteitinerary

   Examples

   he looked the other direction

   didn't know the way home

2. the spatial relation between something and the course along which it points or moves

   Broader terms

   positionspatial relation

   Examples

   he checked the direction and velocity of the wind

3. a general course along which something has a tendency to develop

   Broader terms

   inclinationdispositiontendency

   Examples

   I couldn't follow the direction of his thoughts

   his ideals determined the direction of his career

   More examples (1)

   they proposed a new direction for the firm

4. something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action

   Synonyms

   guidancecounselcounselingcounselling

   Broader terms

   messagecontentsubject mattersubstance

5. the act of managing something

   Synonyms

   management

   Broader terms

   social control

   Examples

   he was given overall management of the program

   is the direction of the economy a function of government?

6. a message describing how something is to be done

   Synonyms

   instruction

   Broader terms

   messagecontentsubject mattersubstance

   Examples

   he gave directions faster than she could follow them

7. the act of setting and holding a course

   Synonyms

   steeringguidance

   Broader terms

   control

   Examples

   a new council was installed under the direction of the king

8. a formal statement of a command or injunction to do something

   Synonyms

   commissioncharge

   Broader terms

   commandbidbiddingdictation

   Examples

   the judge's charge to the jury

9. the concentration of attention or energy on something

   Synonyms

   focusfocusingfocussingfocal pointcenteringcentring

   Broader terms

   concentrationengrossmentabsorptionimmersion

   Examples

   the focus of activity shifted to molecular biology

   he had no direction in his life