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direction

noun
di·​rec·​tion | \ dÉ™-ˈrek-shÉ™n How to pronounce direction (audio) , dÄ«-\

Definition of direction

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
3a : 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
6a : a channel or direct course of thought or action deciding which direction to take as a writer
b : tendency, trend
c : a guiding, governing, or motivating purpose His life lacked direction.
7a : 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)
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Other Words from direction

directionless \ dÉ™-​ˈrek-​shÉ™n-​lÉ™s How to pronounce directionless (audio) \ adjective
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Adding Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn and even KZ Okpala along with keeping Duncan Robinson was a very positive move in the right direction. — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, "ASK IRA: Could Heat invert, with big men shooting the threes?," 2 Sep. 2019 But Taggart needs to do something — anything — to send a message to FSU fans, administrators and potential recruits that his program is moving in the right direction. — Mike Bianchi, orlandosentinel.com, "Ouch! Boise State quickly lights fire under FSU coach Willie Taggart’s hot seat | Commentary," 31 Aug. 2019 This handy map will point you in the right direction of your local health department or immunization registry for more information and instructions on how to request your records. — Anna Borges, SELF, "Here’s How to Make Sure You’re Up to Date on All Your Vaccines," 26 Aug. 2019 Just outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, a large crowd of royal watchers had gathered—and after her mother pointed towards them, Charlotte immediately stuck her tongue out in their direction. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Princess Charlotte Was Sticking Her Tongue Out at Her Grandpa, Michael Middleton," 20 Aug. 2019 Follow the directions of your sous vide circulator for preparing a water bath for cooking. — Dallas News, "Sous vide school: 3 top Dallas chefs teach us how to cook chicken, steak and even octopus," 20 Aug. 2019 But given the immense power large companies exercise in society, the new social consciousness of business surely should be seen as a step in the right direction. — Fortune, "America’s CEOs Seek a New Purpose for the Corporation," 19 Aug. 2019 In an interview Friday with The Washington Post, Miller aggressively minimized his role in the administration and would accept no credit for its direction. — Author: Nick Miroff, Josh Dawsey, Anchorage Daily News, "Stephen Miller has singular control of Trump’s immigration policy," 17 Aug. 2019 This season should end up being a step in the right direction for Louisville football. — Gentry Estes, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville football may surprise some people early in 2019, but it won't last all season," 14 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'direction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of direction

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for direction

see direct entry 1

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More Definitions for direction

direction

noun
How to pronounce direction (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of direction

: the course or path on which something is moving or pointing
: a statement that tells a person what to do and how to do it : an order or instruction
: instructions that tell you how to go to a place

See the full definition for direction in the English Language Learners Dictionary

direction

noun
di·​rec·​tion | \ dÉ™-ˈrek-shÉ™n How to pronounce direction (audio) , dÄ«-\

Kids Definition of direction

1 : the path along which something moves, lies, or points I'm coming from the opposite direction.
2 : an order or instruction to be followed Read the directions first.
3 : instructions on how to get somewhere
4 : supervision, management He took over direction of the project.

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