director

noun

di·​rec·​tor də-ˈrek-tər How to pronounce director (audio)
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
directorship noun

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 However, his speech also received support from those calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, including Stefanie Fox, the executive director of leftist group Jewish Voice for Peace. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 At Thursday’s news conference, his office was represented by southwest regional director Joyce Powdrill, who said the senator was proud of the organizers at the air hub. Caroline O'Donovan, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 French director Leterrier cut his death on the Gallic Transporter action franchise and recently helmed Faxt X, which grossed more than $700 million globally. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Mar. 2024 Less than a week after her wonderfully emotional acceptance speech at the 96th Academy Awards, it’s been confirmed that the Hollywood heavyweight will be reuniting with Poor Things director Yorgos Lanthimos for his next film, Kinds of Kindness. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024 Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge in the shooting, which left Hutchins dead and injured director Joel Souza when a gun held by Baldwin fired a live round during a scene rehearsal on the set of the western. Nouran Salahieh, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 Boylan was previously stadium director at the legendary Wembley Stadium, and prior to that worked for years at SJM Concerts and Manchester Arena. Marc Schneider, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2024 This is not at all daunting to director Kerry Meads. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024 Demand to watch on 70mm film — the director’s format of choice — has been so high that some brave moviegoers have resorted to 3:15 a.m. showtimes. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'director.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see direct entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of director was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near director

Cite this Entry

“Director.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/director. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

director

noun
di·​rec·​tor də-ˈrek-tər How to pronounce director (audio)
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)
directorial
də-ˌrek-ˈtōr-ē-əl
(ˌ)dī-
-ˈtȯr-
adjective
directorship noun

Medical Definition

director

noun
di·​rec·​tor də-ˈrek-tər, dī- How to pronounce director (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on director

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