orient

1 of 3

verb

ori·​ent ˈȯr-ē-ˌent 

oriented; orienting; orients

transitive verb

1

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

2

a

: to set right by adjusting to facts or principles

b

: to acquaint with the existing situation or environment

3

a

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

b

: to ascertain the bearings of

c

: 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

4

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

orient

2 of 3

noun

ori·​ent ˈȯr-ē-ənt  -ē-ˌent 

1

Orient : regions or countries lying to the east of a specified or implied point : the eastern regions or countries of the world : east sense 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

a

: a pearl of great luster

b

: the luster of a pearl

3

archaic : east sense 1b

orient

3 of 3

adjective

ori·​ent ˈȯr-ē-ənt  -ē-ˌent 

1

a

: lustrous, sparkling

orient gems

b

archaic : radiant, glowing

2

archaic : oriental sense 1

3

archaic : rising in the sky

Synonyms

Verb

• introduce
• educate
• orientate

Examples of orient in a Sentence

Verb

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 on the Web

Verb

Think of it as a compass that keeps every decision oriented toward the finish line rather than the next fire drill. —Aaron Marcum, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

American grand strategy has long been oriented around the country’s identity as a democracy. —Rebecca Lissner, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025

Noun

Wells’ initial direction at least orients the viewer in the physical sense, establishing the geography of the ER as the show’s expansive, yet limited, setting. —Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Jan. 2025

The two together become symbolic: the gray or blue jacket reminds us of a common class background; the distinctive pattern of the tie orients us toward the wearer’s unique identity. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 6 July 2024

Adjective

That is, the starry sky allows the Bogong moths to both orient and navigate. —Ari Daniel, NPR, 18 June 2025

Our job is to help people orient themselves, not overwhelm them. —David Meade, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

French orienter, from Middle French, from orient

Noun and Adjective

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

First Known Use

Verb

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 3c

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing orient

• orient oneself

Rhymes for orient

• circumvent
• discontent
• fundament
• malcontent
• occident
• president
• reinvent
• represent
• underwent
• accent
• advent
• ascent

Kids Definition

orient

1 of 2 verb

ori·​ent

ˈōr-ē-ˌent,

ˈȯr-

1

a

: to cause to face toward the east

b

: to set or arrange in a definite position especially in relation to the points of the compass

2

: to acquaint with a situation or environment

orient new students

3

: to direct towards the interests of a particular group

movies that are oriented toward teenagers

Orient

2 of 2 noun

Ori·​ent

ˈōr-ē-ənt,

ˈȯr-,

-ē-ˌent

: east entry 3 sense 2

especially : the countries of eastern Asia

Etymology

Noun

Middle English orient "east," from Medieval French orient (same meaning), from Latin orient-, oriens "the direction in which the sun rises," from oriri "to rise" — related to origin

Word Origin

The Romans had no magnetic compasses, so they depended on the position of the rising sun to determine directions in the daytime. The direction from which the sun rose (which we know as east) was called oriens. This word was formed from the verb oriri, meaning "to rise, come forth." The word oriens also came to be used for the part of the world in the direction from which the sun rose, that is, the area we call the East. The English word Orient, taken from the Latin oriens, was used for the same general area to the east of Europe, and especially eastern Asia. When the verb orient was first used in English, it meant "to set or face toward the east." To orient a church means to build it so that the aisles lead up to the main altar at the eastern end of the building. Other senses of the verb developed later.

Medical Definition

orient

transitive verb

ori·​ent ˈōr-ē-ˌent, ˈȯr- 

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