- [countable, uncountable] the general position a person or thing moves or points towards
- in the direction of something They headed in the direction of the village.
- in somebody's direction She pointed in my direction.
- in the/a … direction They hit a truck coming in the opposite direction.
- The road was blocked in both directions.
- The aircraft was flying in a northerly direction.
- in the right/wrong direction
- When the police arrived, the crowd scattered in all directions.
- Has the wind changed direction?
- I lost all sense of direction (= I didn't know which way to go).
Extra Examples- A scanner deflects the laser beam in horizontal and vertical directions.
- Dan followed the direction the sign had pointed.
- He started to run in a random direction.
- I can't come with you, but I can point you in the general direction.
- I didn't see the accident because I was facing in the opposite direction.
- I don't have much sense of direction.
- He fired in the general direction of the officer's head, and missed.
- I was being pushed in one direction.
- She followed the direction of his gaze.
- I measured the distance and compass direction between successive positions.
- People came running from all directions.
- She shoved Sarah in a general forward direction.
- He stalked away, in no particular direction.
- People passed by without a glance in her direction.
- Suddenly, the wind switched directions.
- The adults gazed in the direction indicated.
- The blast sent debris flying in all directions.
- The convoy is moving in the direction of the capital.
- The current flows in a south-easterly direction.
- The ride in the reverse direction is a mere $4.
- The runway was constructed in a north–south direction.
- They were both going in the same direction.
- Turn the dial in a clockwise direction.
- Unfortunately, we were going in the wrong direction.
- They walked off in separate directions.
- What happens if you reverse the direction of the current?
- When sailing, keep a constant check on changes in wind direction.
- Which direction do we have to take?
- a house oriented exactly to the cardinal directions
- He ran off in the direction of the river.
- I realized we were travelling in the wrong direction.
- The car was going in the other direction.
- I had researched the average speed and direction of winds and currents along the route.
- There was a shriek of laughter from the direction of Sarah's room.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- same
- different
- opposing
- …
- take
- change
- reverse
- …
- from a/the direction
- in a/the direction
- the direction of flow
- the direction of movement
- the direction of travel
- …
- [countable, usually plural] instructions about how to do something, where to go, etc.
- Let's stop and ask for directions.
- directions to something A farmer gave us directions to the town.
- directions for something With all pesticides, follow the directions for use carefully.
- directions for doing something Simple directions for assembling the model are printed on the box.
Extra Examples- It's a local landmark, often used when giving directions to the town.
- Are there any directions for putting up the tent?
- Each card has step-by-step directions on one side.
- Each chapter includes easy-to-follow directions for a variety of activities.
- Follow label directions for best results.
- It's ever so easy to cook. You just follow the directions on the packet.
- Just follow the online directions to take the quiz.
- Can you give me directions for getting to John's?
- Can you give me directions to the post office?
- I'm always being asked for directions.
- If you want to come, I can send you directions.
- internet sites that offer everything from driving directions to subway maps
- Isabel's directions are always very precise.
- She'd been given pretty clear directions, so she found the hotel easily.
- The teacher gives specific directions and corrects your pose.
- We got directions to the hall from a man in the town.
- signs providing directions to the new concert hall.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- clear
- good
- precise
- …
- ask
- ask for
- give somebody
- …
- direction for
- direction to
- [countable, uncountable] the general way in which a person or thing develops
- The exhibition provides evidence of several new directions in her work.
- I am very unhappy with the direction the club is taking.
- in a… direction He wants to take the company in a different direction.
- Do you feel your career is heading/headed in the right direction?
- It's only a small improvement, but at least it's a step in the right direction.
- in the direction of something The industry will continue to move in the direction of more automation.
- Do you think this represents a radical change of direction for the president?
Extra Examples- They are debating the future direction of the party.
- The case was beginning to take a new direction.
- the strategic direction of the company
- the predicted direction of climate change in the near term
- the debate about the future direction of socialism
- a step to change your life in a positive direction
- We have to nudge politicians in the right direction.
- At least things are moving in the right direction now.
- I'm uncertain about the general direction of the project.
- This points to a promising new direction for cancer research.
- The company needed to shift direction if it was going to survive.
- I felt the company was headed in a positive direction.
- America has not moved in the expected direction.
- First determine the direction of your expected business growth.
- These incentives should move the industry in the desired direction.
- His understanding of our business will further strengthen our strategic direction.
- The proposals aim to set a new direction for local government.
- While he was studying in Paris, his thinking suddenly veered off in a new direction.
- The recommendations indicate possible directions for further studies.
- The party must take a new direction if it is to survive.
- The new law is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, but it doesn't go far enough.
- She's a young woman, determining the direction of her life.
- The book signals a shift in direction from her earlier novels.
- The first step in this direction will be a discussion with the unions.
- The story does not go in any particular direction.
- We can help companies assess the speed and direction of technological change.
- It is hard to know which direction the Church will take.
- The market is moving primarily in one direction.
- These figures may have to be revised in an upward direction.
- He feels that his music is going in the same direction as that of his American counterparts.
- It's time for me to change direction and try to find a new job.
- The benefits of new technology seem to be all in one direction.
- We are pulled in opposing directions by our emotions.
- There are different considerations, often pulling in different directions.
- This was a major change of direction for Britain's foreign policy.
- The report gives a brief nod in the direction of green issues before coming down firmly on the side of the market.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- new
- right
- wrong
- …
- take
- change
- shift
- …
- a change of direction
- a shift in direction
- a step in… direction
- …
- [countable] the general position a person or thing comes or develops from
- Support came from an unexpected direction.
- Let us approach the subject from a different direction.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- same
- different
- opposing
- …
- take
- change
- reverse
- …
- from a/the direction
- in a/the direction
- the direction of flow
- the direction of movement
- the direction of travel
- …
- [uncountable] a purpose; an aim
- We are looking for somebody with a clear sense of direction.
- Once again her life felt lacking in direction.
Extra Examples- the critical decisions that shape the direction of our lives
- There seems to be no clear direction in policy.
- Do not let the discussion fragment into a desultory conversation with no clear direction.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- clear
- be lacking in
- lack
- a sense of direction
- [uncountable] the art of managing or guiding somebody/something
- She was entrusted with the direction of the project.
- under the direction of somebody All work was produced by the students under the direction of John Williams.
Extra Examples- All such research is under government direction.
- They work under the direction of a senior manager.
- The new workers need direction from a supervisor.
- The teacher provided clear direction, but allowed children some autonomy.
- There was a lack of central direction in the service.
- The monarch looks to the archbishop for spiritual direction.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- clear
- strategic
- spiritual
- …
- give somebody
- provide (somebody with)
- under somebody’s direction
- direction from
- [uncountable] the instructions given by somebody directing a film or play
- There is some clever direction and the film is very well shot.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- clear
- good
- precise
- …
- ask
- ask for
- give somebody
- …
- direction for
- direction to
where to
instructions
development
where from
purpose
control
film/movie
Word Originlate Middle English (in sense (2)): from Latin directio(n-), from the verb dirigere, from di- ‘distinctly’ or de- ‘down’ + regere ‘put straight’.
Idioms
See direction in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee direction in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishpull in different/opposite directions
- to have different aims that cannot be achieved together without causing problems
- There are different considerations, often pulling in different directions.
Check pronunciation:
direction