1 [count] : the course or path on which something is moving or pointing
▪ The army attacked from three different directions. ▪ Down the road, he could see a bus coming from the opposite direction. ▪ The wind changed direction and started blowing in our faces. ▪ I've got a bad sense of direction. [=I become lost frequently; I often don't know which way to go] — often used after in ▪ She and I were walking in the same direction. ▪ You're headed in the wrong direction. ▪ The top of the hill provides a view in all directions. ▪ The car was last seen headed in the direction of [=towards] the stadium. ▪ She started walking in my direction. [=toward me] 2 directions [plural] a : a statement that tells a person what to do and how to do it : an order or instruction
▪ Carefully read the directions before you begin the test. ▪ Directions appear on the package. ▪ You have to learn to follow directions. [=do what you are told or are instructed to do]
b : instructions that tell you how to go to a place
▪ We had to stop to ask for directions to the beach. ▪ Excuse me. Could you please give me directions to the movie theater? 3 [noncount] a : control or management of someone or something
▪ He was put in charge and given overall direction of the program. ▪ Twenty-three employees work under her direction. ▪ Several nurses working under the direction of this doctor have made complaints.
b : the act or process of directing a play, movie, television show, or musical performance
▪ The play's unusual direction demanded much from the actors. 4 a [count] : the way that something is progressing or developing
▪ These discoveries have given a new direction to their research. ▪ Our business is expanding in all directions. ▪ He hasn't yet decided what direction he should take as a writer. [=hasn't decided exactly what he should try to do as a writer]
b [noncount] : a goal or purpose that guides your actions or decisions
▪ Her life seemed to lack direction after she left school.