direction Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a line leading to a place or point
    way.
    • he looked the other direction
    • didn't know the way home
  2. noun the spatial relation between something and the course along which it points or moves
    • he checked the direction and velocity of the wind
  3. noun 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
  4. noun something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
    counseling; guidance; counsel; counselling.
  5. noun the act of managing something
    management.
    • he was given overall management of the program
    • is the direction of the economy a function of government?
  6. noun a message describing how something is to be done
    instruction.
    • he gave directions faster than she could follow them
  7. noun the act of setting and holding a course
    guidance; steering.
    • a new council was installed under the direction of the king
  8. noun a formal statement of a command or injunction to do something
    commission; charge.
    • the judge's charge to the jury
  9. noun the concentration of attention or energy on something
    centering; focussing; focus; focal point; focusing.
    • the focus of activity shifted to molecular biology
    • he had no direction in his life

WordNet

Di*rec"tion noun
Etymology
L. directio: cf. F. direction.
Definitions
  1. The act of directing, of aiming, regulating, guiding, or ordering; guidance; management; superintendence; administration; as, the direction o public affairs or of a bank.
    I do commit his youth To your direction. Shak.
    All nature is but art, unknown to thee; ll chance, direction, which thou canst not see. Pope.
  2. That which is imposed by directing; a guiding or authoritative instruction; prescription; order; command; as, he gave directions to the servants.
    The princes digged the well . . . by the direction of the law giver. Numb. xxi. 18.
  3. The name and residence of a person to whom any thing is sent, written upon the thing sent; superscription; address; as, the direction of a letter.
  4. The line or course upon which anything is moving or aimed to move, or in which anything is lying or pointing; aim; line or point of tendency; direct line or course; as, the ship sailed in a southeasterly direction.
  5. The body of managers of a corporation or enterprise; board of directors.
  6. (Gun.) The pointing of a piece with reference to an imaginary vertical axis; -- distinguished from elevation. The direction is given when the plane of sight passes through the object. Wilhelm. Syn. -- Administration; guidance; management; superintendence; oversight; government; order; command; guide; clew. Direction, Control, Command, Order. These words, as here compared, have reference to the exercise of power over the actions of others. Control is negative, denoting power to restrain; command is positive, implying a right to enforce obedience; directions are commands containing instructions how to act. Order conveys more prominently the idea of authority than the word direction. A shipmaster has the command of his vessel; he gives orders or directions to the seamen as to the mode of sailing it; and exercises a due control over the passengers.

Webster 1913