direct

verb di·rect \ də-ˈrekt , dī- \

Updated on: 4 Dec 2017

Definition of direct

transitive verb

1 a obsolete : to write (a letter) to a person

b : to mark with the name and address of the intended recipient

c : to impart orally

directed the remark to her fellow senators

d : to adapt in expression so as to have particular applicability

arguments directed at the emotions

2 a : to regulate the activities or course of

directs a staff of over 200 employees

b : to carry out the organizing, energizing, and supervising of

direct a project

directed a call center

c : to dominate and determine the course of

… will not find it preposterous that the past should be altered by the present as much as the present is directed by the past.
—T. S. Eliot

d : to train and lead performances of

direct a movie

directing a famous actor

3 : to cause to turn, move, or point undeviatingly or to follow a straight course

X-rays directed through the body

4 : to point, extend, or project in a specified line or course

direct the nozzle downward

5 : to request or enjoin (see enjoin 1) with authority

the judge directed the jury to acquit

6 : to show or point out the way for

signs directing us to the entrance

intransitive verb

1 : to point out, prescribe, or determine a course or procedure

2 : to act as director of a show or musical ensemble

She both acted and directed in the film.

See direct defined for English-language learners

See direct defined for kids

Examples of direct in a Sentence

Be sure that the water nozzle is directed downward.
The sloping ground helps direct water away from the home.
Let me direct your attention to the book's second chapter.
We were asked to direct our thoughts and prayers to the people who survived the disaster.
The students directed their efforts toward improving their community.
A lot of the criticism has been directed toward the concert's organizers.
He is responsible for directing the activities of the sales team.
In my current position, I direct a staff of over 200 employees.
We need someone to direct traffic.

Recent Examples of direct from the Web

Both people said that investigators on Mueller’s team have asked about what the lobbyists knew about the source of the funding and who was directing the work in 2012 — long before Manafort became Trump’s campaign chairman in 2016.

— Washington Post, "AP source: Mueller’s probe draws in Democrat, Republican," 3 Nov. 2017
Such is the case with the children in The Florida Project (directed by Sean Baker, out now).

— jen gann, The Cut, "The Almost-Fearless Kids in The Florida Project," 31 Oct. 2017
Art therapy can help take children’s minds off the pain and fear of sickness, said Diane Rode, who directs the art therapy department at the hospital.

— melanie eversley, NBC News, "Synthia Saint James Talks Her Love of Color and Healing Through Art," 29 Oct. 2017
That question, at the start of the chorus, switches the song into suddenly more than a harangue, something more open-ended than that—directed not just at her but at us.

— Longreads, "How Does It Feel? An Alternative American History, Told With Folk Music," 26 Oct. 2017
One Xi ally who didn’t join the new leadership was Wang Qishan, who has directed the anticorruption campaign that sidelined rivals to the Chinese president.

— jeremy page and chun han wong, WSJ, "Xi Jinping Is Alone at the Top and Collective Leadership ‘Is Dead’," 25 Oct. 2017
The film, distributed by Music Box Films and directed by Israeli filmmakers and brothers Alon and Shaul Schwarz, is scheduled to open at press time at O Cinema Miami Beach, Movies of Delray and Living Room Theaters in Boca Raton.

— sergio carmona, Jewish Journal, "Moving documentary 'Aida's Secrets' opening in South Florida," 19 Oct. 2017
Moran, who directs the jazz program at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., also hosted a birthday concert with fellow pianist Kenny Barron.

— david a. graham, The Atlantic, "Thelonious Monk's Quiet, Slow Conquest of the World," 18 Oct. 2017
Steve McQueen, who directed Fassbender in 2011’s Shame, was photographed at a Friday afternoon party at restaurant Yemanj.

— maria pasquini, EW.com, "Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander are married," 16 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'direct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of direct

Middle English, from Anglo-French directer, from Latin directus straight, from past participle of dirigere to direct — more at dress

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

direct Synonyms

Synonyms

canalize, channelize, conduct, channel, funnel, pipe, siphon (also syphon)

Antonyms

mind, obey

Related Words

carry, convey, transmit; concentrate, consolidate, focus

Near Antonyms

comply (with), follow, keep, observe

Synonym Discussion of direct

command, order, bid, enjoin, direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders. command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality. command stresses official exercise of authority.

- a general commanding troops

order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

- ordered his employees about like slaves

bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

- she bade him be seated

enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

- a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality.

- directed her assistant to hold all calls
- the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark

charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

- charged by the President with a secret mission

conduct, manage, control, direct mean to use one's powers to lead, guide, or dominate. conduct implies taking responsibility for the acts and achievements of a group.

- conducted negotiations

manage implies direct handling and manipulating or maneuvering toward a desired result.

- manages a meat market

control implies a regulating or restraining in order to keep within bounds or on a course.

- controlling his appetite

direct implies constant guiding and regulating so as to achieve smooth operation.

- directs the store's day-to-day business

direct

adjective

Definition of direct

1 astronomy : having or being motion in the general planetary direction from west to east : not retrograde (see ¹retrograde 1a(1))

2 a : stemming immediately from a source

direct result

b : being or passing in a straight line of descent from parent to offspring : lineal

direct ancestor

c : having no compromising or impairing element

a direct insult

3 a : proceeding from one point to another in time or space without deviation or interruption : straight

a direct line

b : proceeding by the shortest way

the direct route

4 : natural, straightforward

a direct manner

asked him to be more direct

was direct in her criticism

5 a : marked by absence of an intervening agency, instrumentality, or influence

making direct observations of nature

b : effected or brought about by the action of the people or the electorate and not by representatives

direct democracy

c : consisting of or reproducing the exact words of a speaker or writer

a direct quotation

6 : characterized by close logical, causal, or consequential relationship

direct evidence

7 : capable of dyeing without the aid of a mordant

See direct defined for English-language learners

Examples of direct in a Sentence

I found a more direct route to the city.
That way is more direct.
Keep these plants out of direct sunlight.
The coastline was exposed to the direct force of the hurricane.
The weather had a direct effect on our plans.
There's a direct connection between the two events.
The investigation began in direct response to the newspaper story.

Recent Examples of direct from the Web

Meanwhile, in Alaska, the change in administrations in Washington had a more direct impact.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Yet Another Environmental Disaster-in-Waiting," 16 Oct. 2017
The following play, Gomez took the direct snap and dove for the TD.

— rahim thompson, Post-Tribune, "Tyler Gomez, Drayson Nespo go head-to-head as Crown Point edges LaPorte," 30 Sep. 2017
Running back Saquon Barkley completed his second career pass in as many attempts, taking a direct snap and throwing to tight end Mike Gesicki for a 20-yard gain on the Lions’ first touchdown drive.

— joe juliano, Philly.com, "Penn State game in weather delay," 4 Nov. 2017
Clovis was also interviewed recently by the Senate Intelligence Committee, according to a source with direct knowledge.

— ken dilanian, NBC News, "Top Trump Campaign Aide Clovis Spoke to Mueller Team, Grand Jury," 31 Oct. 2017
The rise in tourism—both in visitor numbers and spending—is largely due to an increase in direct air service and cruise ships.

— elaheh nozari, Condé Nast Traveler, "If You're Visiting Honolulu, Don't Look At Your Phone While Crossing the Street," 29 Oct. 2017
The inspection scandal in Japan is widening after Subaru Corp. also allowed uncertified workers to inspect vehicles before shipment, according to another person with direct knowledge of the matter.

— kae inoue, Bloomberg.com, "Nissan Has Conducted Unauthorized Vehicle Checks Since 1979," 27 Oct. 2017
And though the song has only been out for a few hours, fans are already dissecting every lyric and many Swifties are thinking the track makes direct reference to Taylor’s previous feud with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.

— lauren rearick, Teen Vogue, "Taylor Swift’s “Call It What You Want” Fuels Fan Speculation About Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Feud," 3 Nov. 2017
On the one hand, the Spanish government has suspended Catalan autonomy and assumed direct control of the restive region.

— stathis kalyvas, The Atlantic, "Why Greece's Fate Helps Make Sense of Catalonia's Gamble," 27 Oct. 2017

Origin and Etymology of direct

Middle English, from Latin directus — see ¹direct

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

direct Synonyms

Synonyms

firsthand, immediate, primary, unmediated

Antonyms

indirect, secondhand

Related Words

clinical, empirical (also empiric); efficient, proximate; hands-on

Near Antonyms

inhibited, reserved, restrained; close-mouthed, laconic, quiet, reticent, taciturn, tight-lipped, uncommunicative; ambiguous, circuitous, equivocal, evasive; diplomatic, politic, tactful; civil, considerate, courteous, polite

direct

adverb

Definition of direct

: in a direct (see ²direct) way: such as

a : from point to point without deviation : by the shortest way

flew direct to Miami

b : from the source without interruption or diversion (see diversion 1)

the writer must take his material direct from life
—Douglas Stewart

c : without an intervening agency (see agency 3) or step

buy direct from the manufacturer

See direct defined for English-language learners

Examples of direct in a Sentence

It costs less if you buy it direct from the manufacturer.
flew direct to the coast

Recent Examples of direct from the Web

In summer 2018, San Diegans will be able to fly direct to Frankfurt while experiencing Lufthansa’s state-of-the-art technologies, premium products, environmentally friendly fleet and quality service.

— roger showley, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Lufthansa starting San Diego-Frankfurt service," 14 June 2017
Expenses or financial matters that may have been stressing you out over the past few months will also improve after Friday, when fussy Saturn, in your zone of money, finally starts to go direct after a four-month retrograde.

— aurora tower, Cosmopolitan, "Your Horoscopes for the Week of August 21," 20 Aug. 2017
These sources direct much of the blame for Ole Miss’s alleged NCAA rule violations on Nutt.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "Why Houston Nutt’s Suit Against Ole Miss Was Dismissed And What Comes Next," 10 Aug. 2017
Though the pop star’s imaginative looks come direct from the runways, the correlation between her most glamorous pieces and the animated finery favored by Disney’s royals is surprisingly consistent.

— janelle okwodu, Vogue, "10 Times Rihanna Was a Real Life Disney Princess," 27 July 2017
The tougher standards apply to 180 domestic and foreign airlines that fly direct to the U.S. from 280 airports from 105 countries.

— bart jansen, USA TODAY, "DHS tightens airline security for electronics on international flights," 28 June 2017
Ed is so brilliant to be able to just go direct like that.

— brennan carley, GQ, "How Jessie Ware Accidentally Wrote a Song for Nicki Minaj," 17 Oct. 2017
On the same day, Pluto goes direct in your twelfth house of psychic powers and healing.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What This Week's Horoscope Means for You," 25 Sep. 2017
Any potential direct hit from Jose wouldn't be until next week, however.

— trevor hughes, USA TODAY, "Hurricane Irma weakens to tropical depression; 3 killed in Georgia," 12 Sep. 2017

Origin and Etymology of direct

see ¹direct

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

direct Synonyms

Synonyms

dead, directly, due, plumb, plump, right, straight, straightway

Antonyms

indirectly

Near Antonyms

circuitously, deviously, veeringly

DIRECT Defined for English Language Learners

direct

verb

Definition of direct for English Language Learners

: to cause (someone or something) to turn, move, or point in a particular way
: to cause (someone's attention, thoughts, emotions, etc.) to relate to a particular person, thing, goal, etc.
: to say (something) to a particular person or group

direct

adjective

Definition of direct for English Language Learners

: going the shortest distance from one place to another : going straight without turning or stopping
: coming straight from a source
: coming straight from a cause or reason : connected or related to something in a clear way

direct

adverb

Definition of direct for English Language Learners

: in a straight line without turning or stopping
: straight from a source with nothing and nobody in between

DIRECT Defined for Kids

direct

verb di·rect \ də-ˈrekt , dī- \

Definition of direct for Students

directed; directing

1 : to cause to point or move in a particular direction

Direct your light over here.

2 : to cause to focus on

direct your attention

3 : to show or tell the way

Signs directed us to the exit.

4 : to put an address on

direct a letter

5 : ¹order 2, command

Bake as directed.

6 : to manage or control the making or activities of

direct a play

She directs a large company.

direct

adjective

Definition of direct for Students

1 : going from one point to another without turning or stopping : straight

a direct route

2 : coming straight from a cause or source

… the skunk … sprayed Brian with a direct shot …
—Gary Paulsen, Hatchet

3 : said or done in a clear and honest way

a direct answer

4 : being in an unbroken family line

a direct ancestor

5 : ¹exact

a direct translation

a direct hit

—

directness

noun

direct

adverb

Definition of direct for Students

: directly 1

I flew direct to Paris.

Law Dictionary

direct

transitive verb di·rect

legal Definition of direct

1 : to order with authority

the testator directed that the car go to his niece

2 : to order entry of (a verdict) without jury consideration

the court directed a verdict in favor of the defendant

3 : to act as director of

intransitive verb

: to act as director

direct

adjective

legal Definition of direct

1 a : stemming immediately from a source

direct costs

a direct claim

— compare derivative

b : being or passing in a straight line from parent to offspring : lineal

a direct ancestor

— compare collateral

2 : marked by absence of any intervening agency, instrumentality, or influence

direct consequences

3 : effected by the action of the people or the electorate and not by representatives

direct democracy

4 : characterized by close logical, causal, or consequential relationship

a direct interest in the outcome of the litigation

—

directly

adverb

direct

noun

legal Definition of direct

: direct examination

testimony given on direct

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Definition of direct

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direct

Definition of direct

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direct Synonyms

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direct

Definition of direct

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Origin and Etymology of direct

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DIRECT Defined for English Language Learners

direct

Definition of direct for English Language Learners

direct

Definition of direct for English Language Learners

direct

Definition of direct for English Language Learners

DIRECT Defined for Kids

direct

Definition of direct for Students

direct

Definition of direct for Students

directness

direct

Definition of direct for Students

Law Dictionary

direct

legal Definition of direct

direct

legal Definition of direct

directly

direct

legal Definition of direct

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