DIRECTIONAL

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does directional mean? 

• DIRECTIONAL (adjective)
  The adjective DIRECTIONAL has 3 senses:

1. relating to or indicating directions in space

2. relating to direction toward a (nonspatial) goal

3. showing the way by conducting or leading; imposing direction on

  Familiarity information: DIRECTIONAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DIRECTIONAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Relating to or indicating directions in space

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

a directional microphone

Antonym:

omnidirectional (not directional)

Pertainym:

direction (the spatial relation between something and the course along which it points or moves)

Derivation:

directionality (the property of a microphone or antenna of being more sensitive in one direction than in another)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Relating to direction toward a (nonspatial) goal

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

he tried to explain the directional trends of modern science

Pertainym:

direction (the act of managing something)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Showing the way by conducting or leading; imposing direction on

Synonyms:

directing; directional; directive; guiding

Context example:

the directional role of science on industrial progress

Similar:

leading (going or proceeding or going in advance; showing the way)

 Context examples 

This directional migration may help guide the worms to food sources.

(Magnetic Field Sensor Unearthed in Worms, NIH)

The directional growth of a cell toward or away from a stimulus.

(Cellular Tropism, NCI Thesaurus)

A quality of directional uniformity in material such that physical properties do not vary in different directions. (from Oilfield glossary).

(Isotropy, NCI Thesaurus)

Chemokines are small chemoattractant peptides that provide directional cues for the cell trafficking and thus are vital for protective host response.

(Chemokine Signaling Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/KEGG)

The characteristic directional movement or orientation of an organism or cell along a chemical concentration gradient either toward or away from the chemical stimulus.

(Chemotactic Process, NCI Thesaurus)