Plants encounter numerous adverse environmental factors during growth and development. In response to these stresses, plants produce secondary metabolites such as lignin and lignans. Dirigent (DIR) proteins are a class of auxiliary proteins in plants containing a characteristic Dirigent domain. They participate in lignin polymerization and lignan biosynthesis by mediating the stereo- and regioselectivity of oxidative coupling reactions. In recent years, with the identification and analysis of DIR gene families in various plant species, their members have been extensively studied for their involvement in processes including plant growth, development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. This article comprehensively reviews research progress on the structural characteristics, subfamily classification, and biological functions of DIR gene family in plants. It particularly focuses on elucidating the mechanisms by which DIR genes respond to stresses such as drought, low temperature, and pathogen infection. This review aims to lay the groundwork for future investigations into the functional mechanisms of DIR genes in plant growth and development, stress resistance, and quality formation and as well as for the development of superior germplasm resources characterized by enhanced quality, yield, and stress tolerance.