directive

[ dih-rek-tiv, dahy- ]

adjective

1. serving to direct; directing:

   a directive board.

2. Psychology. pertaining to a type of psychotherapy in which the therapist actively offers advice and information rather than dealing only with information supplied by the patient.

noun

1. an authoritative instruction or direction; specific order:

   a new directive by the president on foreign aid.

directive

/ daɪ-; dɪˈrɛktɪv /

noun

1. an instruction; order

adjective

1. tending to direct; directing
2. indicating direction

Other Words From

• self-di·rective adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of directive¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word dīrēctīvus. See direct, -ive

Example Sentences

Activists expect the Trump administration to revoke a Biden directive that requires emergency rooms to provide abortions when necessary to stabilize a woman’s health, even in states with abortion bans.

From Los Angeles Times

Between March and December 2022 almost 68,000 people arrived in Ireland from Ukraine under the EU’s temporary protection directive.

From BBC

That type of directive would likely get tied up in the courts, but “it’s the threat that becomes the issue,” Klowden said.

From Los Angeles Times

His staff said the directive to find other ways of financing infrastructure wasn’t included in the executive order because it would require legislative statutes to be changed.

From Los Angeles Times

A federal district judge ordered Virginia to restore the purged voters to the rolls last week, only for his directive to be reversed in turn by the Supreme Court, which did not explain its decision.

From Salon

Related Words

• decree
• edict
• injunction
• mandate
• memo
• memorandum
• message
• notice
• order
• regulation
• ruling