Plain English Meaning

Working in every direction at once, instead of just one direction.

Full Definition

Transmitting, receiving, or radiating signals equally in all horizontal directions rather than in a single focused beam. In aviation, the term most commonly describes navigation aids and antennas that send or receive signals from any compass direction around the station.

Context Anchor

Seen in navigation discussions, especially when describing radio navigation signals sent out from a ground station.

Derivation

From Latin omnis meaning 'all' and 'directional' meaning 'related to direction.' So 'omnidirectional' literally means 'all directions' — useful because it tells you immediately that the signal is not pointed one way; it goes everywhere around the source.

Why Pilots Care

Enables navigation signals such as to be received by at any around the facility without the need to an .