directory

[ dih-rek-tuh-ree, -tree, dahy- ]

noun

, plural di·rec·to·ries.

1. a book containing an alphabetical index of the names and addresses of persons in a city, district, organization, etc., or of a particular category of people.
2. a board or tablet on a wall of a building listing the room and floor numbers of the occupants.
3. a book of directions.
4. Computers.
   1. Also called folder. an organizing unit in a computer's file system for storing and locating files. In a hierarchical file system, directories can contain child directories subdirectories as well as files.
   2. a description of characteristics of a particular file, as the layout of fields within each record.
5. the Directory, French History. the body of five directors forming the executive power of France from 1795 to 1799.

adjective

1. serving to direct; directing; directive.

Directory

¹

/ -trɪ; dɪˈrɛktərɪ; daɪ- /

noun

1. history the body of five directors in power in France from 1795 until their overthrow by Napoleon in 1799 Also known asthe French Directory

directory

²

/ dɪˈrɛktərɪ; -trɪ; daɪ- /

noun

1. a book, arranged alphabetically or classified by trade listing names, addresses, telephone numbers, etc, of individuals or firms
2. a book or manual giving directions
3. a book containing the rules to be observed in the forms of worship used in churches
4. a less common word for directorate
5. computing an area of a disk, Winchester disk, or floppy disk that contains the names and locations of files currently held on that disk

adjective

1. directing

Word History and Origins

Origin of directory¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin dīrēctōrium, noun use of Late Latin dīrēctōrius directorial; directory indef 5, translation of French Directoire, from Medieval Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Her name no longer appears in the current online staff directory.

From Los Angeles Times

Organizations like the Climate-Aware Therapist Directory and the American Psychiatric Assn. have put together an increasing number of guides and resources to help more people understand how climate change has affected our emotional well-being.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s directory, Graves was a litigation associate at the law firm and was based in Century City, where he specialized in intellectual property, digital media and entertainment, and trademark and copyright infringement.

From Los Angeles Times

Wave’s provider directory now lists more than 60 U.S. licensees and an additional 18 internationally.

From Los Angeles Times

Mary Ellen Grant, vice president of communications for the California Assn. of Health Plans, said its members understand the frustration that arises from inaccurate listings, but “AB 236 does nothing to address the root cause of the issue” and “simply places the full responsibility of provider directory accuracy onto health plans.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• almanac
• catalogue
• list
• yellow pages