directional

American  

[dih-rek-shuh-nl, dahy-] / dɪˈrɛk ʃə nl, daɪ- /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or indicating direction in space.

2. Radio. adapted for determining the direction of signals received, or for transmitting signals in a given direction.

   a directional antenna.

3. of, relating to, or providing guidance or leadership.

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directional British  

/ dɪˈrɛkʃənəl, daɪ- /

adjective

1. of or relating to a spatial direction

2. electronics

   1. having or relating to an increased sensitivity to radio waves, sound waves, nuclear particles, etc, coming from a particular direction

   2. (of an aerial) transmitting or receiving radio waves more effectively in some directions than in others

3. physics electronics

   1. concentrated in, following, or producing motion in a particular direction

   2. indicating direction

4. indicating the direction something, such as a fashion trend, might take

   directional fashion looks

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Other Word Forms

• directionality noun
• directionally adverb
• undirectional adjective

Etymology

Origin of directional

First recorded in 1605–15; direction + -al ¹

Example Sentences

With specialized imaging tools, the team found that cells actively generate directional fluid flows, which they compare to atmospheric rivers.

From Science Daily

“I don’t have anything immediate to point to and say, this will make economic sense in the moon other than this is directionally correct,” he told the Times in a video posted on Feb. 26.

From MarketWatch

I work up and down, alternating my use of my pencils and the pressure I place on them, trying to get the value and directional stroke just right.

From Literature

“This is a directional shift for the gas market: from expecting more supply flexibility over time to confronting tighter balances and greater infrastructure risk,” said Jan-Eric Fähnrich, senior analyst at consulting firm Rystad Energy.

From The Wall Street Journal

When the market’s directional trend is hijacked by forces that marginalize financial metrics like corporate earnings growth and profit margins, it’s more significant than merely investor sentiment souring.

From Barron's