direction
noun
di·rec·tion
də-ˈrek-shən 
dī-
1
: guidance or supervision of action or conduct : management
working under the direction of the doctor
2
archaic
: the address placed on the outside of a letter or package to be delivered : superscription
3
a
: an explicit instruction : order
carefully read the directions
follow directions
b
: assistance in pointing out the proper route
—usually used in plural
asked for directions to the beach
4
: the line or course on which something is moving or is aimed to move or along which something is pointing or facing
came from the opposite direction
walking in the same direction
5
archaic
: directorate sense 1
6
7
a
: the art and technique of supervising the production of a show or performance : the art and technique of directing an orchestra, band, or a show (as for stage or screen)
b
music
: a word, phrase, or sign indicating the appropriate tempo, mood, or intensity of a passage (see passage entry 1 sense 6b) or movement (see movement sense 4c)
directionlessness
noun
Examples of direction in a Sentence
The army attacked from three different directions.
Down the road, he could see a bus coming from the opposite direction.
The wind changed direction and started blowing in our faces.
Carefully read the directions before you begin the test.
Directions appear on the package.
We had to stop to ask for directions to the beach.
Excuse me. Could you please give me directions to the movie theater?
He was put in charge and given overall direction of the program.
Twenty-three employees work under her direction.
Several nurses working under the direction of this doctor have made complaints.
Recent Examples on the Web
The researchers say that’s an important direction for future work and have made their code freely available so other scientists can dig in as well.
—
Simon Makin, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
But the movie’s artful direction, nimble structure, visual richness and impeccable performances make for something full-bodied, compelling and deeply affecting, its melancholy beauty lingering long after the end credits roll.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
The crash occurred in the area of 175 Mile Hill Road where a motorist heading north struck a man who was walking in the opposite direction with his snowblower in the northbound shoulder, according to Connecticut State Police.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
Nearly 75% of Venezuelans surveyed said the Latin American nation is moving in the right direction, and even supporters of former President Nicolás Maduro overwhelmingly approved of recent changes.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for direction
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Simon Makin, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
But the movie’s artful direction, nimble structure, visual richness and impeccable performances make for something full-bodied, compelling and deeply affecting, its melancholy beauty lingering long after the end credits roll.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
The crash occurred in the area of 175 Mile Hill Road where a motorist heading north struck a man who was walking in the opposite direction with his snowblower in the northbound shoulder, according to Connecticut State Police.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
Nearly 75% of Venezuelans surveyed said the Latin American nation is moving in the right direction, and even supporters of former President Nicolás Maduro overwhelmingly approved of recent changes.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for direction
Cite this Entry
“Direction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/direction. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
direction
noun
di·rec·tion
də-ˈrek-shən
dī-
1
: guidance of action or conduct : management
many people working under my direction
direction of a play
2
: an instruction, indication, or order given with authority
follow directions
3
: the line or course along which something moves, lies, or points
headed in a northerly direction
4
: tendency sense 1, trend
a new direction in literature
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