Direction

Direction is the property that indicates the way in which something points or moves, an orientation in relation to a reference frame. It is distinct from position or distance and can be described as a vector direction or as a qualitative sense like up, down, left, right or toward a given point.

In geography and navigation, directions are often expressed using cardinal points such as north, south, east, and west, or their combinations. Bearings or azimuths quantify direction as an angle from a reference, typically north. Maps, compasses, and GPS devices rely on a consistent direction reference to guide travel or determine location.

In physics and mathematics, direction is a property of vectors and forces, indicating the line along which an object would move if a single force acted, or the orientation of an axis. Directions can be described with unit vectors, angles, or coordinates, and direction is independent of magnitude in a vector.

Relative or subjective directions refer to terms like left, right, forward, and backward, which depend on the observer’s frame of reference. In some domains, such as astronomy or robotics, direction also integrates with orientation, rotation, and trajectory planning.

Direction comes from Latin directio, from dirigere meaning to guide or set straight. The concept underpins disciplines from navigation and surveying to physics, computer science, and cognitive science.