Meaning
Directionality is a noun that refers to the quality of having a specific direction, orientation, or flow. It describes the tendency or property of something to move, act, or function in one direction rather than being random or uniform.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: Noun (uncountable, sometimes countable depending on context).
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Used to describe properties in science, linguistics, design, and general behavior.
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Typical structure:
- "the directionality of + noun"
- "show/indicate/possess directionality"
Specialized usages:
- Biology/Physics: Refers to movement or flow in one direction (e.g., current, growth, energy).
- Linguistics: Refers to the order or flow of language elements (e.g., word order, reading direction).
- Electronics/Acoustics: Refers to how a signal, antenna, or microphone responds more strongly in certain directions.
Common Phrases
- The directionality of growth
- Reading directionality
- Directional flow
- Lack of directionality
- High directionality (in signals, beams, sound waves)
Collocations
- adjective + directionality: strong directionality, weak directionality, clear directionality
- verb + directionality: show directionality, determine directionality, analyze directionality
- noun + of + directionality: degree of directionality, sense of directionality
Examples
- The scientist studied the directionality of the electric field in the experiment.
- English text has a left-to-right directionality.
- The antenna is designed with high directionality to capture signals more effectively.
- The directionality of the river’s current makes it dangerous for small boats.
- Children learning to read must first understand the directionality of writing in their language.
- The fabric shows a natural directionality due to the way the fibers are woven.
- The researcher tested the directionality of migration in bird populations.
- Without clear directionality, the company’s strategy seems scattered.
Synonyms or Related
- Orientation
- Flow
- Alignment
- Vector
- Direction
- Trajectory