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Related topics:1 to aim something in a particular direction or at a particular person, group etc
aim
[transitive always + adverb/preposition] direct something at/towards etc something 
The machine directs an X-ray beam at the patient's body.The new route directs lorries away from the town centre.
The machine directs an X-ray beam at the patient's body.The new route directs lorries away from the town centre.2 to be in charge of something or control it : Mr Turner was directing the investigation from a very early stage. The choir was directed by Sir David Willcocks.
be in charge
[transitive]Mr Turner was directing the investigation from a very early stage.The choir was directed by Sir David Willcocks.3 to give the actors in a play, film, or television programme instructions about what they should do : The play was directed by Frank Hauser.
film/play
APTAM [intransitive and transitive]The play was directed by Frank Hauser.4 to tell someone how to get to a place
way/route
[transitive] formal5 to tell someone what they should do [= order]
tell somebody to do something
[transitive] formalWORD CHOICE: 
WORD CHOICE:
direct, take, guide, lead If you direct someone somewhere, you tell them which way to go to get there, but you do not go with them • He directed me to a hotel near the airport (NOT He guided me to a hotel near the airport).!! Do not say that you direct something in a particular direction. Say that you point something in a particular direction • He pointed the gun at the policeman (NOT He directed the gun at the policeman). If you take, guide, or lead someone somewhere, you go with them there • I'll take you to the airport. Use guide especially to talk about helping someone along a difficult route • They guided me through a maze of one-way streets. Use lead to talk about going in front of someone who is following you • The waiter led us to a table.
WORD CHOICE: direct, take, guide, lead If you direct someone somewhere, you tell them which way to go to get there, but you do not go with them • He directed me to a hotel near the airport (NOT He guided me to a hotel near the airport).!! Do not say that you direct something in a particular direction. Say that you point something in a particular direction • He pointed the gun at the policeman (NOT He directed the gun at the policeman). If you take, guide, or lead someone somewhere, you go with them there • I'll take you to the airport. Use guide especially to talk about helping someone along a difficult route • They guided me through a maze of one-way streets. Use lead to talk about going in front of someone who is following you • The waiter led us to a table.
