direction
Pluraldirections
- 1The way something points or moves, like up, left, or toward a place.
Like the way an arrow points to show where to go.
Which direction is the park from here?
The wind kept changing direction all afternoon.
UsageSay in this direction (not
incorrect: to this direction), and from the direction of a place.Similarway, bearing, heading, path, trajectory
Note
- 2A general plan or way that things are going to move in the future.
Like choosing which road to take on a long trip.
The company is moving in a new direction this year.
We need to decide on a direction for the project.
UsageOften go in a new direction or a change of direction.
Similarcourse
- 3Words that tell you how to get to a place, or how to do or use something.
We got lost because the directions to the farm were wrong.
The directions on the box say to add two cups of water.
UsageUsually directions: ask for directions, follow the directions on the box.
Similarinstruction
- 4Help or orders that tell you what to do or how to do it.
Like having someone show you the steps to follow.
The teacher gave clear direction before the test began.
Without direction, the new workers didn't know where to start.
UsageOften under someone's direction, or some direction, without a.
Similarguidance, supervision, instruction
- 5The job of guiding how a film or play is made and performed.
Like a coach guiding a team to play well together.
The movie won an award for its direction.
Good direction made the play feel real and exciting.
Similarstaging
Less common meanings
- 6The group of people who manage or control something.
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.
1860, Charles Dickens, Great ExpectationsHere, the Direction means the group of people who run the company.Similarboard, management, directorate, leadership
Note
- 7The place where a person lives, used for sending letters.
Her aunt Leonella was still at Cordova, and she knew not her direction.
1796, Matthew Lewis, The MonkHere, direction means the address where a person lives, for sending letters.Note
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of direction apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It came from Latin "dīrēctiō", through Old French and Middle English. It joins "direct" and "-ion".
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Direction came from Latin dīrēctiō through Old French and Middle English. en.wiktionary.org
- Direction is equivalent to direct plus -ion. en.wiktionary.org