orientation
noun
ori·en·ta·tion
ˌȯr-ē-ən-ˈtā-shən 
-ˌen-
plural orientations
1
a
: the act or process of orienting or of being oriented
These materials are for the orientation of new employees.
b
: the state of being oriented
the orientation of the main altar of the church
2
a
: a usually general or lasting direction of thought, inclination, or interest
the fundamentally human orientation of Greek art—
Bruce Cole
Bruce ColeThis company has a decidedly conservative orientation.
b
: a person's sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, straight, gay, lesbian, pansexual, etc. : the state of being bisexual, straight, gay, lesbian, pansexual, etc. : sexual orientation
3
: change of position by organs, organelles, or organisms in response to external stimulus
The plant's orientation is toward light.
orientationally
adverb
Examples of orientation in a Sentence
These materials are used for the orientation of new employees.
They identified as bisexual in orientation.
The organization has a decidedly conservative orientation.
Her later works were more introspective in orientation.
New students need to go through a short orientation before they begin classes.
Recent Examples on the Web
This long-term orientation enables Japanese corporate investors to make patient capital investments that may not align with the typical five- to seven-year return horizons of traditional venture capitalists.
—Nicole Leblanc, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
The two had met an hour earlier, during an orientation for the 24 Hour Musicals, a yearly creative challenge that is a bit like the Pomodoro Technique for the theatre-kid soul.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
New guests receive a head sock; helmets and necessary safety equipment are included for all racers, who receive an orientation on the rules of the track before driving.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
On the bottom side of the bowl in this orientation are the stars called Dubhe and Merak that point to Polaris.
—Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for orientation
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Nicole Leblanc, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
The two had met an hour earlier, during an orientation for the 24 Hour Musicals, a yearly creative challenge that is a bit like the Pomodoro Technique for the theatre-kid soul.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
New guests receive a head sock; helmets and necessary safety equipment are included for all racers, who receive an orientation on the rules of the track before driving.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
On the bottom side of the bowl in this orientation are the stars called Dubhe and Merak that point to Polaris.
—Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for orientation
Cite this Entry
“Orientation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orientation. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
orientation
noun
ori·en·ta·tion
ˌōr-ē-ən-ˈtā-shən
ˌȯr-ē-ˌen-
1
a
: the act or process of orienting or of being oriented
b
: the state of being oriented
2
a
: a usually general or lasting direction of thought, inclination, or interest
b
: a person's sexual identity or self-identification
bisexual in orientation
3
: change of position by a cell or organism or by one of their parts in response to outside stimulus
Medical Definition
orientation
noun
ori·en·ta·tion
ˌōr-ē-ən-ˈtā-shən, ˌȯr-, -ˌen-
2
: a usually general or lasting direction of thought, inclination, or interest see sexual orientation
3
: change of position by organs, organelles, or organisms in response to external stimulus
4
: awareness of the existing situation with reference to time, place, and identity of persons
psychological orientation
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