director

noun

di·​rec·​tor də-ˈrek-tər 

dī-

: one who directs: such as

a

: the head of an organized group or administrative unit (such as a bureau or school)

director of religious education

a communications director

b

: one of a group of persons entrusted with the overall direction of a corporate enterprise

on the board of directors for a large corporation

c

: a person who supervises the production of a show (as for stage or screen) usually with responsibility for action, lighting, music, and rehearsals

a famous Hollywood director

d

music : conductor sense c

directorship

də-ˈrek-tər-ˌship 

dī-

noun

Synonyms

• administrant
• administrator
• archon
• exec
• executive
• manager
• superintendent
• supervisor

Examples of director in a Sentence

The company will hire a new director of marketing.

She's the director of graduate studies at the university.

She's considered one of the best young directors in Hollywood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Pablo Delano is Charles A. Dana Professor of Fine Arts, director, Studio Art Program, and co-chair, Department of Fine Arts, Trinity College. —Garth Andrew Myers, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2025

And that starts with a trio of other truly awful nominees: Kash Patel for FBI director, Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Bobby Kennedy Jr. for secretary of health and human services. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025

More than 20 years later, Riklis’s loyal adaptation has opponents just as the book did, and even more so because of the nationality of its director. —Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2025

While working with the organization City Year as executive director, Shafer was given the chance to return to Kansas City and lead a local chapter of the nonprofit, connecting schools with mentors and tutors. —J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see direct entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing director

• casting director
• co-director
• director of photography
• director's chair
• director's cut
• funeral director
• managing director
• program director
• stage director
• sub-director

Kids Definition

director

noun

di·​rec·​tor də-ˈrek-tər 

dī-

: one that directs: as

a

: one of a group of persons who direct the business of an organized body (as a corporation)

the board of directors

b

: one that guides the making of a show (as for stage or screen)

c

: conductor sense 2

directorial

də-ˌrek-ˈtōr-ē-əl

(ˌ)dī-

-ˈtȯr-

adjective

directorship

də-ˈrek-tər-ˌship 

dī-

noun

Medical Definition

director

noun

di·​rec·​tor də-ˈrek-tər, dī- 

: an instrument grooved to guide and limit the motion of a surgical knife

Legal Definition

director

noun

di·​rec·​tor

1

: the head of an organized group or administrative unit or agency

2

: any of a group of persons usually elected by shareholders and entrusted with the overall control of a corporation

Note: Directors owe a fiduciary duty to the shareholders in the exercise of their powers. Directors have the power to appoint and dismiss officers, declare and pay dividends on stock, initiate major corporate actions such as mergers or dissolution, and determine other matters affecting the corporation.

directorship noun