orienteering

noun ori·en·teer·ing \ ˌȯr-ē-ən-ˈtir-iŋ , -ˌen- \

Updated on: 26 May 2018

Definition of orienteering

: a competitive or noncompetitive recreational activity in which participants use a map and compass to navigate between checkpoints along an unfamiliar course (as in the woods)

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Recent Examples of orienteering from the Web

The Trolley Bed Preserve will be the site on Saturday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. of an outing geared toward orienteering, or finding the way using a map and compass.

— susan dunne, courant.com, "Connecticut Trails Day Hosts Hundreds Of Free Outdoor Activities," 15 May 2018
Starting in sixth grade, students can join the clubs to compete in shooting events, archery and orienteering.

— collin binkley and meghan hoyer, idahostatesman, "NRA gave money to Idaho schools, 4-H clubs, other youth groups | Idaho Statesman," 12 Mar. 2018
Starting in sixth grade, students can join the clubs to compete in shooting events, archery and orienteering.

— Washington Post, "AP analysis: NRA gave $7.3 million to hundreds of schools," 10 Mar. 2018
Starting in sixth grade, students can join the clubs to compete in shooting events, archery and orienteering.

— collin binkley and meghan hoyer, idahostatesman, "NRA gave money to Idaho schools, 4-H clubs, other youth groups | Idaho Statesman," 12 Mar. 2018
Starting in sixth grade, students can join the clubs to compete in shooting events, archery and orienteering.

— Washington Post, "AP analysis: NRA gave $7.3 million to hundreds of schools," 10 Mar. 2018
Starting in sixth grade, students can join the clubs to compete in shooting events, archery and orienteering.

— collin binkley and meghan hoyer, idahostatesman, "NRA gave money to Idaho schools, 4-H clubs, other youth groups | Idaho Statesman," 12 Mar. 2018
Starting in sixth grade, students can join the clubs to compete in shooting events, archery and orienteering.

— Washington Post, "AP analysis: NRA gave $7.3 million to hundreds of schools," 10 Mar. 2018
Starting in sixth grade, students can join the clubs to compete in shooting events, archery and orienteering.

— collin binkley and meghan hoyer, idahostatesman, "NRA gave money to Idaho schools, 4-H clubs, other youth groups | Idaho Statesman," 12 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of orienteering

modification of Swedish orientering, from orientera to orient

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First Known Use: 1948

in the meaning defined above

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ORIENTEERING Defined for English Language Learners

orienteering

noun

Definition of orienteering for English Language Learners

: a sport in which people use a map and a compass to travel along a route they do not know as quickly as possible

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about orienteering

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orienteering

Definition of orienteering

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orienteering

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