orient

noun ori·ent \ ˈȯr-ē-ənt , -ē-ˌent \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Definition of orient

1 capitalized : regions or countries lying to the east of a specified or implied point : the eastern regions or countries of the world : east 2 —formerly understood to include regions (such as the Middle East) lying to the east and southeast of southern Europe but now usually understood to refer to regions and countries of eastern Asia

sailed for the Orient

2 archaic : east 1b

3 a : a pearl of great luster

b : the luster of a pearl

Recent Examples of orient from the Web

Paul Resnikoff, the publisher of Digital Music News, thinks Apple will keep the app going, but re-orient to send consumers to Apple Music.

— jefferson graham, USA TODAY, "What Apple is likely to do with Shazam, the early name-that-tune iPhone app," 11 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'orient.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of orient

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin orient-, oriens, from present participle of oriri to rise; akin to Sanskrit ṛṇoti he moves, arises, Greek ornynai to rouse, oros mountain

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

orient

adjective

Definition of orient

1 archaic : oriental 1

2 a : lustrous, sparkling

orient gems

b archaic : radiant, glowing

3 archaic : rising in the sky

Recent Examples of orient from the Web

They are also directed by apps released for iPhone and Android devices, and a website with all relevant Jewish tourist information, set up to orient visitors.

— dovid margolin, Jewish Journal, "They came for the World Cup and stayed for Shabbat," 28 June 2018
For pieces of wood that are long and slender, such as a 2 by 12, orient the lumber with its edge against the force.

— popular mechanics editors, Popular Mechanics, "15 Things My Father Taught Me," 17 June 2016
Not only that, but the focus on work as part of Medicaid might be used to re-orient the design of such programs to target the medical problems that keep people from working: depression, substance abuse, and musculoskeletal problems.

— Philly.com, "Why Medicaid work requirements could help persuade more states to expand coverage," 17 May 2018
But there was no particular pressure to change stuff or orient it one way or the other,’’ Hertzberg said.

— mike stobbe, BostonGlobe.com, "Want to avoid the flu while flying? Here’s what experts say you should do," 19 Mar. 2018
Wind and solar patterns were analyzed to perfectly orient different elements of the home, such as lining up the solar panels set upon the garage.

— patrick sisson, Curbed, "This Michigan farmhouse is one of the world’s greenest homes," 13 Mar. 2018
Some cities offer guidance to orient travelers to their creative sides.

— New York Times, "With or Without U.S. Funding, Unesco Celebrates American Cities," 26 Jan. 2018
In the old store, some ceilings and walls are being removed to accommodate several indoor exhibits and information stations that will help orient visitors to the park.

— jennifer conn, akron reporter, cleveland.com, "Cuyahoga Valley National Park breaks ground for new visitor center," 8 Jan. 2018
The iPhones contain new gyroscopes and accelerometers that help orient digital imagery onto the physical world in a more realistic manner than before.

— jonathan vanian, Fortune, "Apple Makes a Bigger Push Into Augmented Reality With iPhone 8, iPhone X," 12 Sep. 2017

Origin and Etymology of orient

see ¹orient

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

orient

verb ori·ent \ ˈȯr-ē-ˌent \

Definition of orient

transitive verb

1 a : to cause to face or point toward the east; specifically : to build (a church or temple) with the longitudinal axis pointing eastward and the chief altar at the eastern end

b : to set or arrange in any determinate position especially in relation to the points of the compass

c : to ascertain the bearings of

2 a : to set right by adjusting to facts or principles

b : to acquaint with the existing situation or environment

3 : to direct (something, such as a book or film) toward the interests of a particular group

4 : to cause the axes of the molecules of (a fiber or material) to assume the same direction

See orient defined for English-language learners

See orient defined for kids

Examples of orient in a Sentence

The program is intended to orient students toward a career in medicine.
Orient the map so that north is at the top.
The house is oriented so that it faces west.

Recent Examples of orient from the Web

In particular the point stating housing should be oriented towards seniors and be affordable/cheap.

— Naperville Sun, "5th Avenue ‘no brainers’ make no sense," 15 June 2018
That’s led Minibar to begin offering features that are more wine-oriented, like its Vineyard Select service, which allows shoppers to order bottles from independent wineries (mostly in California) whose products are hard to find in local stores.

— janelle nanos, BostonGlobe.com, "Macy’s hopes Backstage will put it back in the spotlight," 17 Mar. 2018
Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb, the consensus next-best free agent options after Darivsh and Arrieta, are both much more contact-oriented in their approaches, solid additions but hardly game-changers.

— jay jaffe, SI.com, "The Twins Finally Have an Open Playoff Window. What They Need Is Starting Pitching.," 6 Feb. 2018
At some point, the judging criteria became more extensive and community-oriented.

— karla peterson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Over-the-Line's Miss Emerson Contest isn't what you think it is," 13 July 2018
The male tends to protect the home, fend off dangers, forage for food, while the female is oriented toward the rearing of the young.

— andrew sullivan, Daily Intelligencer, "Anthony Kennedy and the Death of True American Conservatism," 29 June 2018
His main thing is Transcendental Meditation®, which, by definition, is inward-oriented.

— thomas harlander, Los Angeles Magazine, "Maybe We Should Take David Lynch’s Thoughts on Trump with a Grain of Salt," 27 June 2018
Photo: Te-Ping Chen/The Wall Street Journal President Xi Jinping has said these concerns need to be addressed, and pushed for officialdom to become more service-oriented.

— te-ping chen, WSJ, "A Chinese City Puts It to a Vote: How Should We Spend Our Money?," 1 June 2018
And those with conditions such as autism can be more detail-oriented.

— paul davidson, USA TODAY, "Willing and able: Disabled workers prove their value in tight labor market," 5 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of orient

French orienter, from Middle French, from orient

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1728

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

orient Synonyms

Synonyms

accustom, acquaint, familiarize, initiate, introduce, orientate;

Related Words

habituate, wont;

apprise, brief, clue (in), fill in, inform;

educate, enlighten, ground, instruct, school, train, verse;

expose, present, subject;

advise, tell, tip (off), warn, wise (up);

reacquaint;

ORIENT Defined for English Language Learners

orient

verb

Definition of orient for English Language Learners

: to change or create (something, such as a book or a film) so that it appeals to a particular group of people or is suitable for a particular group of people
: to direct (someone) toward a goal
: to place (something) in a particular position or direction