unidirectional

adjective

uni·​di·​rec·​tion·​al ˌyü-ni-də-ˈrek-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce unidirectional (audio)
-dī-
1
: involving, functioning, moving, or responsive in a single direction
a unidirectional microphone
2
: not subject to change or reversal of direction
unidirectionally adverb

Examples of unidirectional in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rather than a unidirectional flow of medical technologies and services from developed to emerging markets, the modern health economy is defined by interconnectedness. — Aman Gupta, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 The researchers who pioneered systems for enforcing unidirectional data movement, called information-flow tracking, were not interested in saving energy. — Adrian Sampson, IEEE Spectrum, 26 Sep. 2013 This is done through the use of unidirectional brain-machine interfaces or bidirectional brain-machine interfaces (BBMIs). — Peter High, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 Cross seas Our understanding of how waves break has primarily been models of unidirectional waves. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for unidirectional

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unidirectional was in 1883

Phrases Containing unidirectional

Rhymes for unidirectional

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unidirectional
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Cite this Entry

“Unidirectional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unidirectional. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

unidirectional

adjective
uni·​di·​rec·​tion·​al ˌyü-ni-də-ˈrek-shnəl, -dī-, -shən-ᵊl How to pronounce unidirectional (audio)
: involving, functioning, moving, or responsive in a single direction
unidirectionally
-ē How to pronounce unidirectional (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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