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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
3a : a pearl of great lusterb : the luster of a pearl
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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
Recent Examples of orient from the Web
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Denali State Park is sometimes confused with the national park of the same name, so a stop at the impressive interpretive center and day-use area helps orient visitors.
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Put food on the tray that slides in and out of the center of the tube, and orient it towards the sun.
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Knowing buildings are there isn't critical, but showing them in outline helps orient passengers in the world.
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
see 1orient
Definition of orient
transitive verb
1a : 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 endb : to set or arrange in any determinate position especially in relation to the points of the compassc : to ascertain the bearings of
2a : to set right by adjusting to facts or principlesb : 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
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
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Housebuilders are beating the broader FTSE 250 Index of mid-cap U.K. companies this year, a gauge that’s more domestically oriented than the exporter-heavy FTSE 100 equity benchmark.
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Their son had taken swimming lessons and even earned a swimming merit badge in Cub Scouts, but his skills were oriented toward swimming pools.
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Recent pride parades have become more protest-oriented in cities such as Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Washington D.C.
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Family members said during the sentencing hearing that Curtis was playful and a clown growing up in Waukegan, but also greatly involved with the family's church, goal-oriented and not violent.
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Previous research has shown that most galaxies are randomly oriented in space, which means they aren’t noticeably aligned with their surroundings.
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Engie's prototype uses standard industrial valves and actuators to orient the nozzle and turn on the spray.
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Aquarius is widely known to be the most community-oriented of the horsocope signs, not to mention one of the most off-beat.
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Even more rarely, some pyramidals can be well oriented in this sky.
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
French orienter, from Middle French, from orient
ORIENT Defined for English Language Learners
orient
playDefinition of orient for English Language Learners
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: 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
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: to direct (someone) toward a goal
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: to place (something) in a particular position or direction
ORIENT Defined for Kids
orient
playDefinition of orient for Students
oriented
;orienting
1 : to set or arrange in a position especially so as to be lined up with certain points of the compass Builders oriented the house to face east.
2 : to make familiar with an existing situation or environment Volunteers are needed to orient new students.
3 : to direct toward the interests of a particular group The movie is oriented toward children.
orientation
\ˌōr-ē-ən-ˈtā-shən\ nounMedical Dictionary
orient
playMedical Definition of orient
1: to set or arrange in any determinate position especially in relation to the points of the compass
2: to acquaint with or adjust according to the existing situation or environment
3: to cause the axes of the molecules of to assume the same direction
Learn More about orient
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See words that rhyme with orient Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for orient Spanish Central: Translation of orient Nglish: Translation of orient for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of orient for Arabic speakers
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