Extending or moving from one place to another by the shortest way without changing direction or stopping

• - there was no direct flight that day

Without intervening factors or intermediaries

• - the complications are a direct result of bacteria spreading

(of a person or their behavior) Going straight to the point; frank

(of evidence or proof) Bearing immediately and unambiguously upon the facts at issue

• - there is no direct evidence that officials accepted bribes

(of light or heat) Proceeding from a source without being reflected or blocked

• - ferns like a bright position out of direct sunlight

(of genealogy) Proceeding in continuous succession from parent to child

(of a quotation) Taken from someone's words without being changed

Complete (used for emphasis)

• - nonviolence is the direct opposite of compulsion

Perpendicular to a surface; not oblique

• - a direct butt joint between surfaces of steel

(of apparent planetary motion) Proceeding from west to east in accord with actual motion

Control the operations of; manage or govern

• - an economic elite directed the nation's affairs

Supervise and control (a movie, play, or other production, or the actors in it)

Train and conduct (a group of musicians)

Aim (something) in a particular direction or at a particular person

• - heating ducts to direct warm air to rear-seat passengers

• - his smile was directed at Laura

Tell or show (someone) how to get somewhere

• - can you direct me to the railroad station, please?

Address or give instructions for the delivery of (a letter or parcel)

Focus or concentrate (one's attention, efforts, or feelings) on

• - we direct our anger and frustration at family

Address a comment to or aim a criticism at

• - he directed his criticism at media coverage of the Catholic Church

• - I suggest that he direct his remarks to the council

Target a product specifically at (someone)

• - the book is directed at the younger reader

Guide or advise (someone or their judgment) in a course or decision

• - the conscience of the credulous prince was directed by saints and bishops

Give (someone) an official order or authoritative instruction

• - the judge directed him to perform community service

• - he directed that no picture from his collection could be sold

With no one or nothing in between

• - buy direct and save

By a straight route or without breaking a journey

• - Austrian Airlines is flying direct to Innsbruck again