Directives
/daɪˈrektɪvz/
Definitions
Official instructions or orders issued by an authority to guide or control actions or conduct.
/daɪˈrektɪvz/
Official instructions or rules.
The new safety directives were distributed to all employees.
💡 Simply: Imagine your boss sending you an email with clear instructions on what needs to be done. Those are like directives – official guidelines.
👶 For kids: It's like when your teacher tells you what to do for a class project. It's a special set of rules.
More Examples
The CEO's directives focused on improving efficiency.
The military followed the directives from headquarters.
Employees must adhere to the company's financial directives.
How It's Used
"The company issued new directives regarding remote work."
"Government directives require all agencies to conserve energy."
Idioms & expressions
follow directives
To obey or comply with official instructions or rules.
"All employees are expected to follow directives from their managers."
issue directives
To give official instructions or orders.
"The CEO issued new directives on remote work."
From the Latin *directus* (past participle of *dirigere*, "to direct"), influenced by the French *directive*. The word entered English in the late 19th century.
Historically, directives have been used in military contexts, but now they extend to wider areas of application.
Memory tip
Think of the DIRECTion an executive gives, a DIRECTive.