orient

noun ori·ent \ ˈȯr-ē-ənt , -ē-ˌent \

Updated on: 19 Apr 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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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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

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
The indoor exhibits will offer information to orient visitors to the park about its geography, natural resources, history and the surrounding areas.

— jennifer conn, akron reporter, cleveland.com, "Cuyahoga Valley National Park hosts groundbreaking for new visitor center," 2 Jan. 2018
Articles come out every week telling us that young people seek experiences, orient toward value products, and demand instant connection.

— samuel engel, Fortune, "Commentary: An Airline Just for Millennials? Bad Idea.," 12 Dec. 2017
Staff members use adjectives rather than titles to orient readers.

— erin geiger smith, WSJ, "Bookstores’ ‘Blind Dates’ Link Books and Readers," 10 July 2017

Origin and Etymology of orient

see ¹orient

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

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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

Many of these are nature-oriented: fields and woods during blizzards, beaches during rainstorms, clouds across an African landscape.

— ty burr, BostonGlobe.com, "The final frames of Abbas Kiarostami," 12 Apr. 2018
If the ring is too cold, everything freezes in place and the pores will be oriented in random directions.

— chris lee, Ars Technica, "Porous silk fiber traps heat, hides a rabbit from IR camera," 4 Apr. 2018
The design-y wedding registry oriented toward architects, critics, and career snobs? Popularized at Moss.

— kelsey keith, Curbed, "57 minutes with design impresario Murray Moss," 2 Apr. 2018
Arc'teryx Men's Covert Cardigan ($134; 25 percent off) Perfect for the office or the crag, the merino wool Covert cardigan is style-oriented but with technical chops.

— the editors, Outside Online, "Upgrade Your Gear Closet with These 10 Great Deals," 27 Mar. 2018
Davidson will again be perimeter oriented, with Grady and fellow starting guards KiShawn Pritchett and Jon Axel Gudmundsson returning.

— david scott, charlotteobserver, "Here’s why Davidson’s Bob McKillop is ‘uplifted’ after NCAA loss to Kentucky | Charlotte Observer," 21 Mar. 2018
Supporters of the changes to Pirates of the Caribbean reason that Disneyland is oriented towards children and therefore rides should be as sanitised as possible without entirely losing their flavour.

— The Economist, "Pirates and #MeToo," 15 Mar. 2018
Bias continues into the job, as managers use language to describe men as leaders and risk takers, and more communal language to describe women as relationship oriented and empathetic, which leads to promotion at faster rates for men.

— refinery29.com, "How I Became An Unapologetic Woman," 8 Mar. 2018
Traditionally, the relatively small city, with a population of roughly 194,000, was much more suburbs-oriented.

— patrick sisson, Curbed, "Salt Lake City, downtown booming, brushes off conservative image," 20 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of orient

French orienter, from Middle French, from orient

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1728

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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