What does the execute (x) permission mean for a directory?

The execute (x) permission for a directory in Unix-like systems means the ability to "enter" this directory and perform operations related to searching and accessing files within it.

If a user has execute permission on a directory, they can:

• Change into this directory (cd)
• Access files and subdirectories inside, if they have the appropriate permissions on those files

Important: execute permission on a directory does not grant the right to read the list of files (that requires read permission), but only allows using the path to files inside. Without execute permission, even if read permission is granted, the user will not be able to access files by name.