What's the meaning of “direct” here?

Question

Consider the following quote:

When a pipe carries water, or a wire carries electricity, it contains and directs the flow of the water or the electricity.

Is direct here sense 2 from OALD?

2 [transitive] to control or be in charge of somebody/something

It's basically the same as direction; if the pipe goes south, the water goes south. Check out Wordnik, where you'll find: direct (v.) to cause to move toward a goal; to aim; to show or indicate the way for; to cause to move in or follow a straight course. I think all of these describe water being directed by a plumbing system to some extent.

jwpat7 · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-29 02:47:48Z

up vote 4 down vote accepted

I don't have OALD, but here is dictionary.com:

direct
verb (used with object) ...2. to regulate the course of; control: History is directed by a small number of great men and women.

edited Nov 29 '12 at 2:47

jwpat7
36.8k539103

answered Nov 28 '12 at 23:22

Fraser Orr
6,274921

1 Answer