director

[ dih-rek-ter, dahy- ]

noun

1. a person or thing that directs.

   Synonyms: boss, chief, administrator, leader, manager, head, supervisor

2. one of a group of persons chosen to control or govern the affairs of a company or corporation:

   a board of directors.

   Synonyms: boss, chief, administrator, leader, manager, head, supervisor

3. the person responsible for the interpretive aspects of a stage, film, or television production; the person who supervises the integration of all the elements, as acting, staging, and lighting, required to realize the writer's conception. Compare producer ( def 3 ).
4. the musical conductor of an orchestra, chorus, etc.
5. the manager or chief executive of certain schools, institutes, government bureaus, etc.

   Synonyms: boss, chief, administrator, leader, manager, head, supervisor

6. Military. a mechanical or electronic device that continuously calculates firing data for use against an airplane or other moving target.

director

/ daɪ-; dɪˈrɛktə /

noun

1. a person or thing that directs, controls, or regulates
2. a member of the governing board of a business concern who may or may not have an executive function
3. a person who directs the affairs of an institution, trust, educational programme, etc
4. the person responsible for the artistic and technical aspects of making a film or television programme Compare producer
5. music another word (esp US) for conductor

Derived Forms

• diˈrectress, noun:feminine
• ˌdirecˈtorial, adjective
• diˈrectorˌship, noun
• ˌdirecˈtorially, adverb

Other Words From

• di·rector·ship noun
• predi·rector noun
• self-di·rector noun
• subdi·rector noun
• subdi·rector·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of director¹

From Late Latin, dating back to 1470–80; direct, -tor

Example Sentences

“I think people should be concerned, in the military and out of it, about the politicization of the military, and the attempt to use it to do the president’s personal will,” said Benjamin Friedman, policy director of the Washington-based think tank Defense Priorities, which advocates for restraint in U.S. foreign policy.

From Los Angeles Times

Alisha Dingus, the development director at the DC Abortion Fund, told Salon the effects over the last two years will take decades to overcome.

From Salon

“CAF has spent all year growing our development capacity and sounding the alarm of the abortion access current crisis, and specifically the funding crisis,” Qudsiyyah Shariyf, the interim executive director of the Chicago Abortion Fund, told Salon.

From Salon

While Trump had long been expected to pick an "outsider" for the role of national intelligence director, some elected officials were still caught off-guard by the selection of someone who has no formal intelligence experience.

From Salon

"This is a disaster for US security & alliances. Of all Trump's decisions so far, might be the worst. Tulsi Gabbard has consistently parroted pro-Putin propaganda. Director of National Intelligence is a critical position for which she has absolutely no experience and skill," Thomas Judeau, professor at the University of Ottawa, wrote in an X post.

From Salon

Related Words

• administrator
• chief
• executive
• head
• leader
• organizer
• player
• principal
• producer
• supervisor