direction

UK: /daɪˈrɛkʃ^ən/, /dɪˈrɛkʃ^ən/

US: /dɪˈrɛkʃən, daɪ-/

US: (di rek′shən, dī′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

di•rec•tion /dɪˈrɛkʃən, daɪ-/   n. 

1. an act or instance of directing:
   [uncountable] working with a minimum of direction.
2. the line along which anything lies, faces, or moves, with reference to the point or region toward which it is directed:
   [countable] We wandered off in the wrong direction. The direction is north. We headed out in several directions at once.
   [uncountable] I have a bad sense of direction.
3. a line of thought or action or a tendency or inclination:
   [countable] the direction of contemporary thought.
4. Usually, directions. [plural] instructions or guidance:
   confusing directions for assembling the furniture.
5. management;
   control;
   supervision:
   [uncountable] Under his direction the company's profits soared.
6. Show Business the technique, art, or business of a stage or film director or of a musical conductor giving instructions:
   [uncountable] Under her direction the orchestra played several pieces beautifully.
7. a purpose or guiding orientation;
   focus:
   [uncountable] He seems to lack direction in his life.

di•rec•tion•al, adj. [before a noun]

: I turned on the car's right directional signal.

See -rect-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

di•rec•tion  (di rek′shən, dī′-), n. 

1. the act or an instance of directing.
2. the line along which anything lies, faces, moves, etc., with reference to the point or region toward which it is directed:
   The storm moved in a northerly direction.
3. the point or region itself:
   The direction is north.
4. a position on a line extending from a specific point toward a point of the compass or toward the nadir or the zenith.
5. a line of thought or action or a tendency or inclination:
   the direction of contemporary thought.
6. Usually, directions. instruction or guidance for making, using, etc.:
   directions for baking a cake.
7. order;
   command.
8. management;
   control;
   guidance;
   supervision:
   a company under good direction.
9. a directorate.
10. the name and address of the intended recipient as written on a letter, package, etc.
11. decisions in a stage or film production as to stage business, speaking of lines, lighting, and general presentation.
12. the technique, act, or business of making such decisions, managing and training a cast of actors, etc.
13. the technique, act, or business of directing an orchestra, concert, or other musical presentation or group.
14. [Music.] a symbol or phrase that indicates in a score the proper tempo, style of performance, mood, etc.
15. a purpose or orientation toward a goal that serves to guide or motivate;
    focus:
    He doesn't seem to have any direction in life.

• Latin dīrēctiōn- (stem of dīrēctiō) arranging in line, straightening. See direct, -ion
• Middle French)
• late Middle English direccioun (1375–1425

di•rec′tion•less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 5. See tendency. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

direction / dɪˈrɛkʃən daɪ-/ noun

1. the act of directing or the state of being directed
2. management, control, or guidance
3. the work of a stage or film director
4. the course or line along which a person or thing moves, points, or lies
5. the place towards which a person or thing is directed
6. a line of action; course
7. the name and address on a letter, parcel, etc
8. the process of conducting an orchestra, choir, etc
9. an instruction in the form of a word or symbol heading or occurring in the body of a passage, movement, or piece to indicate tempo, dynamics, mood, etc