direction
/dɪˈrɛkʃ(ə)n
/ /dʌɪˈrɛkʃ(ə)n/noun
1A course along which someone or something moves: she set off in the opposite direction [mass noun]: he had a terrible sense of direction...
- The route heads in a north-westerly direction running a corridor along the western side of the Oakpark halting site.
- From there the route heads in a north-westerly direction running along the western side of the Oakpark halting site.
- Should traffic travel in the opposite direction along certain roads?
1.1The course which must be taken in order to reach a destination: the village is over the moors in a northerly direction...
- Letter writers, like Julia Baird, travel in many different directions to reach their destinations
- When she reached the directions ' destination, she was shocked.
- But it is I myself who must get there, even though I have the directions and destination down.
Synonyms
way, route, course, line, run, bearing, orientation
1.2A point to or from which a person or thing moves or faces: a house with views in all directions...
- Like the other farmsteads hereabouts, it is protected on three sides by trees and is only open to the views in a direction a little east of south.
- Turning your legs and feet while keeping your torso facing a different direction is a hard thing to learn.
- A cold front slowly moved through central Florida today changing the wind direction somewhat from west to west northwest.
1.3A general way in which someone or something is developing; a trend or tendency: new directions in painting and architecture any dialogue between them is a step in the right direction...
- Some trends may be apparent but other changes may occur which may contradict the general direction of the trend.
- The trend indicates the general tendency or direction over the long-term.
- A seemingly prolibertarian procedural rule may thus lead the law to develop in antilibertarian substantive directions.
Synonyms
orientation, inclination, leaning, tendency;
bent, bias, preference, disposition;
drift, aim, tack, attitude, tone, tenor, mood, feel, style, flavour, vein;
current, trend
1.4 [mass noun] General aim or purpose: the campaign’s lack of direction...
- Such lack of purpose and direction is not in the national interest.
- The US forces might lack purpose or direction but there are plenty of both to the insurgents' attacks.
- Leadership, he said, influences people by providing purpose, direction and motivation.
2 [mass noun] The management or guidance of someone or something: under his direction, the college has developed an international reputation...
- This tradition stretches back many years and probably started under the guidance and direction of the late Dermot Burke.
- Because there's been no direction, no guidance, they've gone into crime.
- He was the complainant's father, one whom she loved and respected and one whom she looked to for direction and guidance.
Synonyms
administration, management, supervision, superintendence, government, regulation, orchestration;
control, command, rule;
conduct, handling, running, overseeing, masterminding;
leadership, guidance
2.1The work of directing the actors and other staff in a film, play, or other production.However, the actors and direction are very impressive, and there's some snappy, witty dialogue....
- His pace is quirky and his direction of the actors inventive.
- What he does bring to his direction is an actor's flair for bringing out the best in his cast.
2.2 (directions) Instructions on how to reach a destination or about how to do something: Preston gave him directions to a restaurant not far from the studio...
- The manufacturer's directions were followed while performing the test.
- Read the entire label before use and carefully follow the labeled directions for use.
- Give one direction at a time during the procedure to help your child if needed.
Synonyms
instruction, command, order, bidding, charge, injunction, dictate, decree, edict, enjoinment, prescription, rule, regulation, requirement;
guideline, recommendation, suggestion;
(directions) guidance, information, briefing
Phrases
sense of direction
Origin
Late Middle English (in sense 2): from Latin directio(n-), from the verb dirigere (see direct).
address from Middle English:
This was first used in the senses ‘set upright’ and ‘guide, direct’, which developed into ‘write directions for delivery on’ and ‘direct spoken words to’. The source is Latin ad- ‘towards’ and directus ‘put straight’. Direction (early 16th century) shares the same source.