director

noun

di·​rec·​tor də-ˈrek-tər How to pronounce director (audio)
dī-
: one who directs: such as
a
: the head of an organized group or administrative unit (such as a bureau or school)
director of religious education
a communications director
b
: one of a group of persons entrusted with the overall direction of a corporate enterprise
on the board of directors for a large corporation
c
: a person who supervises the production of a show (as for stage or screen) usually with responsibility for action, lighting, music, and rehearsals
a famous Hollywood director
d
directorship noun

Examples of director in a Sentence

The company will hire a new director of marketing. She's the director of graduate studies at the university. She's considered one of the best young directors in Hollywood.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While working with the organization City Year as executive director, Shafer was given the chance to return to Kansas City and lead a local chapter of the nonprofit, connecting schools with mentors and tutors. J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 14 Jan. 2025 Vaccarello has been the creative director of Saint Laurent since 2016. Julia Teti, WWD, 14 Jan. 2025 Dwayne Burks is the executive director of Gateway Gaston, an organization that connects people with resources. Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2025 With the recent start of the 119th Congress and the imminent beginning of a second Trump administration, key nominations are drawing attention, with particular concern over Kash Patel's nomination to be director of the FBI. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for director 

Word History

Etymology

see direct entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of director was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near director

Cite this Entry

“Director.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/director. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

director

noun
di·​rec·​tor də-ˈrek-tər How to pronounce director (audio)
dī-
: one that directs: as
a
: one of a group of persons who direct the business of an organized body (as a corporation)
the board of directors
b
: one that guides the making of a show (as for stage or screen)
directorial
də-ˌrek-ˈtōr-ē-əl
(ˌ)dī-
-ˈtȯr-
adjective
directorship noun

Medical Definition

director

noun
di·​rec·​tor də-ˈrek-tər, dī- How to pronounce director (audio)
: an instrument grooved to guide and limit the motion of a surgical knife

Legal Definition

director

noun
di·​rec·​tor
1
: the head of an organized group or administrative unit or agency
2
: any of a group of persons usually elected by shareholders and entrusted with the overall control of a corporation

Note: Directors owe a fiduciary duty to the shareholders in the exercise of their powers. Directors have the power to appoint and dismiss officers, declare and pay dividends on stock, initiate major corporate actions such as mergers or dissolution, and determine other matters affecting the corporation.

directorship noun

More from Merriam-Webster on director

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