1. Showing the way by conducting or leading; imposing direction on
   "felt his mother's directing arm around him";
   - directional, directive, guiding

1. Command with authority
   "He directed the children to do their homework"
    
2. Govern or manage
   "She directs a large corporation"
    
3. (performing arts) guide the actors in (plays and films)
   "Spielberg directed the sci-fi blockbuster"
    
4. Intend (something) to move towards a certain goal, or direct to a specific place or group of people
   "criticism directed at her superior"; "direct your anger towards others, not towards yourself";
   - target, aim, place, point
    
5. Give directions to; point somebody into a certain direction
   "I directed them towards the town hall"
    
6. Plan and control how a complex undertaking is done
   "he directed the robbery";
   - mastermind, engineer, organize, organise [Brit], orchestrate
    
7. Cause to go somewhere
   "He directed all his energies into his dissertation";
   - send
    
8. Accompany somebody somewhere to show them the way
   "we directed him to our chief";
   - lead, take, conduct, guide
    
9. Control or determine the movement, direction, or course of something
   "The captain directed the ship through the strait";
   - steer, maneuver [US], manoeuvre [Brit, Cdn], point, head, guide, channelize, channelise [Brit]
    
10. Point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
    "The photographer directed her camera at the sunset";
    - aim, take, train, take aim
     
11. Specifically design a product, event, or activity for a certain public
    "The marketing team directed the campaign to appeal to young adults";
    - calculate, aim
     
12. Have the leading position, as in the performance of a composition
    "direct an orchestra";
    - conduct, lead
     
13. Put an address on (an envelope)
    "She directed the letter to her grandmother";
    - address

See also: give the sack [informal], leading, send away

Type of: act, apprise, care, command, control, create, deal, designate, destine, displace, do, enjoin, execute, handle, instruct, intend, label, make, manage, move, order, perform, plan, position, say, specify, tell

Encyclopedia: Directing