Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act or process of managing, guiding, or supervising: "direction" refers to the control or leadership over an activity, organization, or group of people.
   • A course along which someone or something moves, points, or faces: "direction" indicates the line or path something follows, or the way it is oriented.
   • Instructions or guidance on how to do something or reach a place: "direction" can be a command, order, or detailed advice on procedure or route.
   • The general way in which something develops or progresses: "direction" signifies the tendency, trend, or overall aim of something's evolution.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The project succeeded under her capable direction. (The project succeeded under her capable management.)
  • The car was traveling in a northerly direction. (The car was traveling toward the north.)
  • Please follow the directions on the package carefully. (Please follow the instructions on the package carefully.)
  • The company is changing its strategic direction. (The company is changing its strategic course.)

Advanced Usage

• "A sense of direction": the ability to know one's location and the way to go.
  • He has a terrible sense of direction and gets lost easily.
• "Under the direction of": being managed or supervised by a specific person or authority.
  • The film was made under the direction of a famous producer.
• "Change direction": to alter one's course, plans, or focus.
  • The debate suddenly changed direction.

Variants and Related Words

• Direct (verb): to manage, control, or aim something.
  • She will direct the new marketing campaign.
• Director (noun): a person who supervises, controls, or manages an activity, organization, or film.
  • The board appointed a new director.
• Directional (adjective): relating to or indicating direction.
  • The device has strong directional signals.

Synonyms

• Guidance: advice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty.
• Management: the process of dealing with or controlling things or people.
• Course: the route or direction followed by something.
• Instruction: a direction or order.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Point in the direction of: to suggest or indicate a likely course of action or result.
  • All the evidence points in the direction of his innocence.

Related Idioms

• A step in the right direction: an action that is likely to lead to a positive result or improvement.
  • The new policy is a step in the right direction.

Noun

1. the concentration of attention or energy on something
   • the focus of activity shifted to molecular biology
   • he had no direction in his life
2. a formal statement of a command or injunction to do something
   • the judge's charge to the jury
3. the act of setting and holding a course
   • a new council was installed under the direction of the king
4. a message describing how something is to be done
   • he gave directions faster than she could follow them
5. the act of managing something
   • he was given overall management of the program
   • is the direction of the economy a function of government?
6. something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
7. a general course along which something has a tendency to develop
   • I couldn't follow the direction of his thoughts
   • his ideals determined the direction of his career
   • they proposed a new direction for the firm
8. the spatial relation between something and the course along which it points or moves
   • he checked the direction and velocity of the wind
9. a line leading to a place or point
   • he looked the other direction
   • didn't know the way home