directory

1 of 2

adjective

di·​rec·​to·​ry də-ˈrek-t(ə-)rē 

dī-

: serving to direct

specifically : providing advisory but not compulsory guidance

directory

2 of 2

noun

plural directories

1

a

: a book or collection of directions, rules, or ordinances

b

: an alphabetical or classified list (as of names and addresses)

2

: a body of directors

3

: folder sense 3b

Examples of directory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Why Traditional Discovery Tools Fall Short Legacy identity and access management (IAM) and SSO platforms can't detect tools outside the directory. —Nidhi Jain, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Fourteen states besides Wisconsin have passed laws to create such directories, according to the Public Health Law Center at Minnesota's Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and several more are considering doing so. —Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2025

To be sure, industries not directory affected by tariffs are cutting staff too, though that could be partly due to the general sense of economic uncertainty that the trade war has created. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025

Therapy and Resource GuideThis is a directory of mental health providers and programs that serve the Black community. —Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English directorie guide, from Medieval Latin directorium, from neuter of Late Latin directorius directorial, from Latin dirigere

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing directory

• directory assistance
• directory enquiries
• ex-directory
• go ex-directory
• phone directory
• sub-directory
• telephone directory

Rhymes for directory

• refectory
• trajectory
• nectary
• rectory
• subdirectory

Kids Definition

directory

noun

di·​rec·​to·​ry

də-ˈrek-t(ə-)rē,

dī-

plural directories

: an alphabetical list containing names and addresses