director

[dih-rek-ter, dahy-]

noun

1. a person or thing that directs.

   Synonyms: boss, chief, administrator, leader, manager, head, supervisor

2. one of a group of persons chosen to control or govern the affairs of a company or corporation.

   a board of directors.

   Synonyms: boss, chief, administrator, leader, manager, head, supervisor

3. the person responsible for the interpretive aspects of a stage, film, or television production; the person who supervises the integration of all the elements, as acting, staging, and lighting, required to realize the writer's conception.

4. the musical conductor of an orchestra, chorus, etc.

5. the manager or chief executive of certain schools, institutes, government bureaus, etc.

   Synonyms: boss, chief, administrator, leader, manager, head, supervisor

6. Military.,  a mechanical or electronic device that continuously calculates firing data for use against an airplane or other moving target.

director

/ daɪ-, dɪˈrɛktə /

noun

1. a person or thing that directs, controls, or regulates

2. a member of the governing board of a business concern who may or may not have an executive function

3. a person who directs the affairs of an institution, trust, educational programme, etc

4. the person responsible for the artistic and technical aspects of making a film or television programme Compare producer

5. music another word (esp US) for conductor

Other Word Forms

• directorship noun
• predirector noun
• self-director noun
• subdirector noun
• subdirectorship noun
• directress noun
• directorial adjective
• directorially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of director¹

From Late Latin, dating back to 1470–80; direct, -tor

Example Sentences

“At age 19, she is already one of the most exciting players in the world,” Angel City sporting director Mark Parsons said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

As impersonated by Matt Walker, the company’s director and comic frontman, he makes the late-career Las Vegas singer look like a spring chicken.

From Los Angeles Times

Anthony Allman, executive director of Vets Advisory, a nonprofit created to monitor the the 2011 settlement, proposed a VA collaboration with the community colleges to build housing for the veterans attending them.

From Los Angeles Times

I found England managing director Rob Key's comments about seeing Bethell's leadership qualities slightly absurd.

From BBC

"Supermarkets, sports shops and household goods stores had a strong start to the year, but spending there has fallen since March," said the ONS's director general of economic statistics, James Benford.

From BBC

Related Words

• administrator 
• chief 
• executive 
• head 
• leader 
• organizer 
• player 
• principal 
• producer 
• supervisor