Directional means relating to or indicating a specific direction. A directional sign on a highway points you toward your destination, telling you which way to go. A directional microphone picks up sound from one particular direction while ignoring noise from other angles, which is why news reporters can interview someone in a noisy crowd.

In everyday life, you encounter directional information constantly. A compass gives directional readings: north, south, east, and west. When someone gives you directional instructions, they tell you to turn left at the corner or head toward the mountains. A directional antenna on a roof points toward a television broadcast tower to receive the strongest signal.

The word can also describe something that varies depending on direction. Wood has directional strength because it splits easily along the grain but resists breaking across it. Some fabrics have directional patterns that look different depending on which way you hold them.

Understanding what's directional helps you navigate the world. When you hear directional audio in a video game, sounds come from specific locations around your character, helping you sense where enemies or treasures might be. When scientists study directional forces in physics, they care about both how strong a push or pull is and which way it points.