orientation

ori·en·ta·tion | \ ˌȯr-ē-ən-ˈtā-shən

, -ˌen- \

Definition of orientation

1a : 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 broadly : arrangement, alignment the orientation of molecules

2a : a usually general or lasting direction of thought, inclination, or interest the fundamentally human orientation of Greek art— Bruce Cole This company has a decidedly conservative orientation.

b : a person's sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, heterosexual, homosexual, pansexual, etc. : the state of being bisexual, heterosexual, homosexual, 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.

Other Words from orientation Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about orientation

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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 Unlike most contemporaries, who were laid to rest in cemeteries, the Marlow Warlord was buried alone, in a north-south orientation overlooking the River Thames. — Nora Mcgreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, "Newly Unearthed Warrior’s Grave Poised to Redraw Map of Anglo-Saxon England," 6 Oct. 2020 Given that restriction, parents with a strong spiritual orientation might well find the religious atmosphere of many of the nation’s private schools very attractive. — Dallas News, "The Benefits of Private Schools vs. Public Schools," 2 Oct. 2020 The new Xbox Wireless Gamepad happens to rest neatly on top of the console in vertical orientation, almost as if that was its proper nest. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Xbox Series X hands-on: The big back-compat dive begins [Updated]," 28 Sep. 2020 Dickson grew up attending church twice on Sunday and again on Wednesday, and a conservative political orientation was part of that mix. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "Jana Riess: Biden campaign targets Latter-day Saints, evangelicals," 10 Sep. 2020 Djukanovic, who has ruled Montenegro for 30 years either as president or prime minister, has been a key Western ally in pushing the volatile Balkans toward a more pro-Western orientation. — Predrag Milic, Star Tribune, "Government agreed, Montenegro to keep pro-Western course.," 9 Sep. 2020 The focus extends geographically and conceptually beyond a traditional introductory African American studies course, instead featuring a global and cross-discipline orientation. — Erik Gleibermann, Washington Post, "New College Board curriculum puts the African diaspora in the spotlight," 8 Sep. 2020 This deployment pattern is also designed to swing the capsule, first at a 30-degree angle to expel heat, then to a straight vertical orientation suitable for landing. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "How a Russian Rocket Launch Failed Spectacularly In Just 118 Seconds," 3 Sep. 2020 At Albany High School last week, a freshman orientation was disrupted by people who drew obscene pictures and engaged in racist and sexist speech in the chat function. — Michael Cabanatuan, SFChronicle.com, "San Leandro schools stepping up online security after latest Zoombomb," 27 Aug. 2020

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

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