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

Anthony is extensively involved in philanthropy, with efforts including lending his plane to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant a wish for a child with cancer and serving on the board of directors of Kristi House Children’s Advocacy Center in Miami. —Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024

The line succession for acting director would continue down to other senior FBI members if the deputy director leaves the job, according to the FVRA. —Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 15 Dec. 2024

Grenell, who during Trump’s first term served as acting director of national intelligence and as ambassador to Germany, previously worked at the United Nations Security Council. —Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024

After 28 years as a fashion editor at Vogue and eight more as creative director of Allure, Mellen is now retired, but not retiring. —Marina Rust, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2024

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