What does "directive" mean?

1. (official order) an official order or instruction from a leader or a government. 2. (European Union law) a type of law in the European Union that tells member countries what goals they must reach. 3. (programming instruction) a special instruction in computer code that tells the computer how to handle the code itself. 4. (guiding) serving to guide, lead, or show the way.

How do you use "directive"?

Often used with the verb 'issue' or 'follow'. Commonly used with 'transpose' or 'implement'.

directive

n. · adj.

US //daɪˈɹɛktɪv// UK //daɪɹˈɛktɪv// di·rec·tive

1 official order (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

an official order or instruction from a leader or a government.

an authoritative instruction or decision issued by an official body, often requiring specific actions to be taken.

Example

The government issued a new directive to reduce plastic waste in all offices.

Example

The board of directors issued a strict directive regarding corporate travel, mandating that all international trips receive prior approval from the CFO.

Usage

Often used with the verb 'issue' or 'follow'.
2 European Union law (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

a type of law in the European Union that tells member countries what goals they must reach.

a legislative act of the European Union that requires member states to achieve a particular result without dictating the means of achieving it.

Example

The EU directive on renewable energy requires every member state to increase its use of wind power.

Example

Member states were given two years to transpose the new environmental directive into their own national legal frameworks.

Usage

Commonly used with 'transpose' or 'implement'.
- regulation
- statute

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3 programming instruction (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Computing

a special instruction in computer code that tells the computer how to handle the code itself.

a construct in source code that specifies how a compiler or processor should treat the input, distinct from the executable logic.

Example

The programmer added a directive at the top of the file to include a library.

Example

The compiler directive ensured that certain blocks of code were only processed when the software was being tested in a development environment.
- command
- instruction
4 guiding (adj.)
C1 Advanced Academic Formal

serving to guide, lead, or show the way.

serving to direct, indicate, or provide guidance; often used in psychological or management contexts.

Example

The manager took a very directive approach, telling everyone exactly what to do.

Example

The therapist moved from a passive listening style to a more directive role to help the patient set concrete goals.

Origin

From Middle French directif. The noun senses are from French directive (feminine form of the adjective).