orient

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

Synonyms of orient

• introduce
• educate
• orientate

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 on the Web

Morrison’s aesthetic is very oriented toward a kind of richness of interpretation. —Literary Hub, 28 May 2026

Birds, fish and turtles orient themselves using Earth's magnetic field as a compass. —ABC News, 28 May 2026

When Venus shifts into Leo on June 13, the energy softens into something more social and community-oriented. —Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026

The health and wellness foods market continues to expand as consumers increasingly prioritize nutrition, preventative health and wellness-oriented eating habits. —Jess Cording, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

French orienter, from Middle French, from orient

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 3c

Phrases Containing orient

• orient oneself

Rhymes for orient

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event

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

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