direction
dih-REHK-shuhn
Direction (noun) means the line or path along which something moves or faces. Example: “The signpost pointed in the opposite direction from the village.”
noun
1
The line or path along which something moves or faces.
"The signpost pointed in the opposite direction from the village."
"The car sped off in the direction of the coast."
"Which direction is the wind blowing from?"
2
Guidance or instruction about what to do.
"Without clear direction from the manager, the team wasted a whole week."
"The students worked under the direction of an experienced teacher."
"She gave clear direction to the new interns."
3
The overall course a project, career, or plan is heading in.
"After years of doubt, he finally found a new direction in life."
"The charity's direction has shifted towards helping young people find work."
"The company changed direction after the merger."
How to use direction
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe way something is pointing or moving, or the guidance given about how to proceed.
Common pairings
sense of direction
change direction
give direction
wrong direction
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Word forms
- Plural
- directions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The signpost pointed in the opposite _____ from the village.
Etymology
From Old French direccion, ultimately from Latin dīrēctiō.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for direction
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for direction →
Frequently asked questions
What does “direction” mean?
The word “direction” means the line or path along which something moves or faces. In plain terms, the way something is pointing or moving, or the guidance given about how to proceed.
How do you pronounce “direction”?
“Direction” is pronounced dih-REHK-shuhn (/dɪˈɹɛk.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “direction” in a sentence?
Here is “direction” used in a sentence: “The car sped off in the direction of the coast.”
What part of speech is “direction”?
“Direction” is a noun.
Where does the word “direction” come from?
The word “direction” comes from Latin. From Old French direccion, ultimately from Latin dīrēctiō.
Is “direction” a common word?
“Direction” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “direction” have?
“Direction” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the line or path along which something moves or faces.
What are the types of direction?
Directions fall into two main kinds. Cardinal directions — north, south, east and west — are fixed points on the compass. Relative directions, such as left, right, forward, back, up and down, depend on which way you happen to be facing. Together they let you describe any path of movement precisely.
What is the difference between direction and distance?
Direction tells you which way something moves or faces; distance tells you how far it travels. If you drive north for fifty miles, "north" is the direction and "fifty miles" is the distance. Navigation needs both — knowing one without the other leaves you unable to reach a destination.
Can direction be measured?
Yes. Direction is usually measured as an angle, most often in degrees from north — a reading known as a bearing. A compass shows it relative to magnetic north, while a protractor or GPS device can give a precise figure. Zero degrees points north, ninety points east, and so on around the circle.
What is an example of direction?
If you tell someone the shop is "to your left" or that a river flows "towards the sea," you are giving a direction. Wind blowing from the west, an arrow pointing up, or a plane heading south-east are all everyday examples — each describes the line along which something moves or faces.
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