DIRECTIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does directive mean? 

• DIRECTIVE (noun)
  The noun DIRECTIVE has 1 sense:

1. a pronouncement encouraging or banning some activity

  Familiarity information: DIRECTIVE used as a noun is very rare.

• DIRECTIVE (adjective)
  The adjective DIRECTIVE has 1 sense:

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

  Familiarity information: DIRECTIVE used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DIRECTIVE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A pronouncement encouraging or banning some activity

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

the boss loves to send us directives

Hypernyms ("directive" is a kind of...):

dictum; pronouncement; say-so (an authoritative declaration)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "directive"):

Presidential Directive (a directive issued by the President of the United States; usually addressed to all heads of departments and agencies)

Derivation:

direct (command with authority)

directive (showing the way by conducting or leading; imposing direction on)

• DIRECTIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

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)

Derivation:

direct (plan and direct (a complex undertaking))

direct (be in charge of)

directive (a pronouncement encouraging or banning some activity)

directiveness; directivity (the quality of being directive)

 Context examples 

Advance directives can help make your wishes clear to your family and health care providers.

(End of Life Issues, NIH)

A type of advance directive that gives a person (such as a relative, lawyer, or friend) the authority to make healthcare decisions for another person.

(HCP, NCI Dictionary)

A type of legal advance directive in which a person describes specific treatment guidelines that are to be followed by health care providers if he or she becomes terminally ill and cannot communicate.

(Living will, NCI Dictionary)

End of life care: Should a patient receive nutrition? What about advance directives and resuscitation orders?

(Medical Ethics, NIH)

Having advance directives in place is important.

(Critical Care, NIH)

A question about whether an individual has or had concerns about personal legal matters, such as a will and advanced directives.

(Concern About Legal Matters - Will and Advanced Directives, NCI Thesaurus)

That full moon will be at cross-purposes to Neptune, so make sure you understand the directive you’re given to complete.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Some types of advance directives are living wills and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders.

(Advance directive, NCI Dictionary)

A label which indicates that a product conforms with the essential requirements of the applicable European Community directives.

(CE Mark, NCI Thesaurus)

Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to spell out your decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time.

(Advance Directives, NIH: National Cancer Institute)