directional

adjective

di·​rec·​tion·​al də-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of, relating to, or indicating direction in space:

a

: suitable for detecting the direction from which radio signals come or for sending out radio signals in one direction only

a directional antenna

b

: operating most effectively in a particular direction

a directional microphone

2

: relating to direction or guidance especially of thought or effort

directionality

di-ˌrek-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

Examples of directional in a Sentence

We work with maps to improve the students' directional skills.

the directional signal lights on an automobile

The radio has a directional antenna.

Recent Examples on the Web

But by prioritizing equal area, the projection gives up on directional fidelity. —Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025

For finance leaders and investors, this shifting allocation landscape provides a directional view of how capital is aligning with long-term technological infrastructure. —Arthur Mouratov, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

The flight test, called GMLRS-class Firehawk Analog (GFA), demonstrated directional stability and thrust performance. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2025

Beyond that, though, the history of the past couple of years shows that NVDA's stock move isn't a reliable directional driver of the broad tape beyond the reflex reaction. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for directional

• affectional
• correctional
• inflectional
• bidirectional
• intersectional
• multidirectional
• omnidirectional
• unidirectional
• sectional

Kids Definition

directional

adjective

di·​rec·​tion·​al də-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nəl 

dī-

1

: relating to or indicating direction

directional signal lights on an automobile

2

: relating to direction or guidance especially of thought or effort