What is meant by the “main lobe” of a directive antenna?

Directional antennas focus their radiated energy in specific directions, creating a radiation pattern made up of various "lobes." The "main lobe," also known as the major lobe, is the specific direction in which the radiated field strength is at its absolute maximum. This is the primary direction the antenna is "pointing." Other, smaller areas of radiation in the pattern are called minor lobes, which include side lobes and the back lobe. The goal of a directive antenna is to maximize the main lobe while minimizing these secondary lobes. Distractors mentioning maximum current or voltage points refer to the electrical standing waves on the physical antenna elements themselves, not the radiated electromagnetic field in space. Similarly, the vertical angle of radiation is a measurement of the lobe's elevation, not the definition of the lobe itself.