omnidirectional

om·ni·dir·ec·tion·al
O1M3N1I1D2I1R1E1C3T1I1O1N1A1L1
/ɒmˈnɪdɪˈɹɛk.ʃə.nəl//ɒmˈnɪdaɪˈɹɛk.ʃə.nəl/

adjective

In every direction, especially of a radio system capable of transmitting or receiving signals in all directions, or of a microphone capable of detecting sound from all directions.

“An omnidirectional radio beacon.”

UncommonScrabble 20

Meanings

adjectiveomnidirectional (not comparable)
  1. not comparableIn every direction, especially of a radio system capable of transmitting or receiving signals in all directions, or of a microphone capable of detecting sound from all directions.

    An omnidirectional radio beacon.

  2. not comparablebusinessHaving a ring-shaped radiation pattern, with equal radiation in all azimuthal directions.

    The radiation pattern of an omnidirectional antenna looks like a doughnut, with the antenna in the center of the doughnut, as depicted in Figure 17.1.

    2004, Harold Davis, Absolute Beginner's Guide to Wi-Fi Wireless Networking, Que Publishing, →ISBN, page 227
  3. not comparablerareOf such an attack or effect: that encompasses all directions.

    Any defense posture that he may have that would be common for any ballistic missile would not suffice for a low-altitude omnidirectional high-speed nuclear ramjet missile.

    1962, Missiles and Rockets, American Aviation Publications, page 40
    3 more examples

    The ascendancy of the offensive over the defensive stems particularly from the ability of advanced weapon systems to penetrate enemy defenses. The combination of great speed and great altitude, taken together with numbers during a mass launch, ensures that selected targets will be reached. Improvements clearly possible through the use of decoys, multiple warheads, electronic countermeasures, varying trajectories, maneuverability, feinting, and omnidirectional attack will further increase the ability penetrate defenses.

    1959, Air University Quarterly Review, Volumes 11-12, U.S. Army Air Forces, page 44

    He’d known better at the time, damn it, but he’d let himself worry more over the possibility of losing an hour or two than her safety. He pounded his fists together and stared up at the sky with bitter eyes, but the alien stars mocked him, and his jaw clenched as he powered his com implant and sent out a full-powered omnidirectional pulse, heedless of the quarantine system’s sensors.

    2003, David Weber, Empire from the Ashes, Baen Books, →ISBN, page 577

    Analysis of the existing literature and expert interviews revealed that the DPRK's future nuclear threat towards the PRC is under examined and frequently dismissed. However, given that the DPRK's missiles are omnidirectional, and with Kim's heavily xenophobic tendencies, including his fear that Beijing would prefer a pro-Chinese leader of the DPRK, Beijing might not be excluded from the list of Kim's future nuclear targets.

    2022 November 8, Thinking About the Unthinkable, “Thinking About the Unthinkable”, in Rand Corporation

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectivenot directional

Opposite

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*h₃ep-
  2. Proto-Italic*opnis
  3. Latinomnis
  4. Englishomni-
  5. Englishdirection
  6. Proto-Indo-European*h₂el-
  7. Proto-Indo-European*h₂élisder.?
  8. Englishdirectional
  9. Englishomnidirectional

From omni- + directional.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Catalan omnidireccional
  • omnidireccionalin every direction
Finnish suuntaamaton, suuntaukseton
  • suuntaamatonin every direction
  • suuntauksetonin every direction
  • monisuunta-in every direction
French omnidirectionnel
  • omnidirectionnelin every direction
Greek παντοκατευθυντικός
  • παντοκατευθυντικός (pantokatefthyntikós)in every direction
Hungarian omnidirekcionális
  • omnidirekcionálisin every direction
Icelandic fjölstefnu-
  • fjölstefnu-in every direction
Italian omnidirezionale
  • omnidirezionalein every direction
Polish dookólny, wszechkierunkowy
  • dookólnyin every direction
  • wszechkierunkowyin every direction
Portuguese omnidirecional
  • omnidirecionalin every direction
Vietnamese đẳng hướng, mọi hướng
  • đẳng hướngin every direction
  • mọi hướngin every direction
Cite this entry
APA

omnidirectional. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/omnidirectional

MLA

“omnidirectional.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/omnidirectional. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “omnidirectional,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/omnidirectional.

Source: omnidirectional on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.