6 VERB If you direct something at a particular thing, you aim or point it at that thing. □ [V n + at/towards/on ] I directed the extinguisher at the fire without effect.
7 VERB If your attention, emotions, or actions are directed at a particular person or thing, you are focusing them on that person or thing. □ [be V -ed + to/towards ] The learner's attention needs to be directed to the significant features. □ [V n + at ] Do not be surprised if, initially, she directs her anger at you. [Also V n to n/-ing]
8 VERB If a remark or look is directed at you, someone says something to you or looks at you. □ [be V -ed + towards ] She could hardly believe the question was directed towards her. □ [be V -ed + at ] The abuse was directed at the TV crews. □ [V n + at ] Arnold directed a meaningful look at Irma.
9 VERB If you direct someone somewhere, you tell them how to get there. □ [V n + to ] Could you direct them to Dr Lamont's office, please? [Also V n adv/prep]
10 VERB When someone directs a project or a group of people, they are responsible for organizing the people and activities that are involved. □ [V n] Christopher will direct day-to-day operations. ● di|rec|tion /da I re kʃ ə n, d I r-/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Organizations need clear direction.
11 VERB When someone directs a film, play, or television programme, they are responsible for the way in which it is performed and for telling the actors and assistants what to do. □ [V n] He directed various TV shows. □ [V ] …Miss Birkin's long-held ambition to direct as well as act.
12 VERB If you are directed to do something, someone in authority tells you to do it. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed to-inf] They have been directed to give special attention to the problem of poverty. □ [V n to-inf] The Bishop directed the faithful to stay at home.
13 ADJ [ADJ n] If you are a direct descendant of someone, you are related to them through your parents and your grandparents and so on. □ She is a direct descendant of Queen Victoria.
14 → see also direction , directly
di|re ct a c|tion N‑UNCOUNT Direct action involves doing something such as going on strike or demonstrating in order to put pressure on an employer or government to do what you want, instead of trying to talk to them.
di|re ct cu r|rent (direct currents ) N‑VAR A direct current is an electric current that always flows in the same direction. The abbreviation DC is also used. □ Some kinds of batteries can be recharged by connecting them to a source of direct current.
di |rect de b|it (direct debits ) N‑VAR If you pay a bill by direct debit , you give permission for the company who is owed money to transfer the correct amount from your bank account into theirs, usually every month. [mainly BRIT ] □ Switch to paying your mortgage by direct debit.
di |rect di s|course N‑UNCOUNT In grammar, direct discourse is speech which is reported by using the exact words that the speaker used. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use direct speech
di|re ct hi t (direct hits ) N‑COUNT If a place suffers a direct hit , a bomb, bullet, or other missile that has been aimed at it lands exactly in that place, rather than some distance away. □ The dug-outs were secure from everything but a direct hit.
di|rec|tion ◆◆◇ /da I re kʃ ə n/ (directions )
1 N‑VAR A direction is the general line that someone or something is moving or pointing in. □ St Andrews was ten miles in the opposite direction. □ [+ of ] He drove off in the direction of Larry's shop. □ The instruments will register every change of direction or height.
2 N‑VAR A direction is the general way in which something develops or progresses. □ They threatened to walk out if the party did not change direction.
3 N‑PLURAL Directions are instructions that tell you what to do, how to do something, or how to get somewhere. □ I should know by now not to throw away the directions until we've finished cooking.
4 N‑UNCOUNT The direction of a film, play, or television programme is the work that the director does while it is being made. □ His failures underline the difference between theatre and film direction.
5 → see also direct SYNONYMS direction NOUN 1
way: Does anybody know the way to the bathroom?
course: Aircraft can avoid each other by altering course to left or right.
route: …the most direct route to the town centre.
di|rec|tion|al /da I re kʃən ə l, d I r-/
1 ADJ If something such as a radio aerial, microphone, or loudspeaker is directional , it works most effectively in one direction, rather than equally in all directions at once. [TECHNICAL ] □ Dish aerials are highly directional.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Directional means relating to the direction in which something is pointing or going. [TECHNICAL ] □ Jets of compressed air gave the aircraft lateral and directional stability.
di|rec|tion|less /da I re kʃ ə nləs, d I r-/ ADJ If you describe an activity or an organization as directionless , you mean that it does not seem to have any point or purpose. If you describe a person as directionless , you mean that they do not seem to have any plans or ideas. □ …his seemingly disorganized and directionless campaign.