n.

1. a line leading to a place or point;
   way
   
   • he looked the other direction
   • didn't know the way home
2. the spatial relation between something and the course along which it points or moves
   
   • he checked the direction and velocity of the wind
3. a general course along which something has a tendency to develop
   
   • I couldn't follow the direction of his thoughts
   • his ideals determined the direction of his career
   • they proposed a new direction for the firm
4. something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action;
   guidance, counsel, counseling, counselling
5. the act of managing something;
   management
   
   • he was given overall management of the program
   • is the direction of the economy a function of government?
6. a message describing how something is to be done;
   instruction
   
   • he gave directions faster than she could follow them
7. the act of setting and holding a course;
   steering, guidance
   
   • a new council was installed under the direction of the king
8. a formal statement of a command or injunction to do something;
   commission, charge
   
   • the judge's charge to the jury
9. the concentration of attention or energy on something;
   focus, focusing, focussing, focal point, centering
   
   • the focus of activity shifted to molecular biology
   • he had no direction in his life