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• orient
  orient

  noun

  the Orient,
• Orient
  Orient

  noun

  the countries east of the Mediterranean

orient

American  

[awr-ee-uhnt, ‑ee-ent, ohr-, awr-ee-ent, ohr‑] / ˈɔr i ənt, ‑iˌɛnt, ˈoʊr-, ˈɔr iˌɛnt, ˈoʊr‑ /

noun

1. Older Use. the Orient,

   1. the countries of Asia, especially East Asia.

   2. (formerly) the countries to the east of the Mediterranean.

2. Jewelry.

   1. an orient pearl.

   2. the iridescence of a pearl.

3. the east; the eastern region of the heavens or the world.

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verb (used with object)

orients, present (3rd person singular) oriented, past participle, past orienting present participle

1. to adjust with relation to, or bring into due relation to surroundings, circumstances, facts, etc.

2. to familiarize (a person) with new surroundings or circumstances, or the like.

   lectures designed to orient the new students.

   Synonyms:

   relate, accustom

3. to place in any definite position with reference to the points of the compass or other locations.

   to orient a building north and south.

4. to direct or position toward a particular object.

   Orient it toward that house.

5. to determine the position of in relation to the points of the compass; get the bearings of.

6. to place so as to face the east, especially to build (a church) with the chief altar to the east and the chief entrance to the west.

7. Surveying. to set (the horizontal circle of a surveying instrument) so that readings give correct azimuths.

8. Mathematics. to assign to (a surface) a constant, outward direction at each point.

verb (used without object)

orients, present (3rd person singular) oriented, past participle, past orienting present participle

1. to turn toward the east or in any specified direction.

adjective

1. (of a gem or pearl) exceptionally fine and lustrous; oriental.

2. Archaic. rising or appearing, especially as from below the horizon.

   the orient sun.

orient ¹ British  

noun

1. poetic another word for east Compare occident

2. archaic the eastern sky or the dawn

3. 1. the iridescent lustre of a pearl

   2. ( as modifier )

      orient pearls

4. a pearl of high quality

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adjective

1. poetic eastern

2. archaic (of the sun, stars, etc) rising

verb

1. to adjust or align (oneself or something else) according to surroundings or circumstances

2. (tr) to position, align, or set (a map, surveying instrument, etc) with reference to the points of the compass or other specific directions

3. (tr) to set or build (a church) in an easterly direction

Orient ² British  

/ ˈɔːrɪənt /

noun

1. the countries east of the Mediterranean

2. the eastern hemisphere

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• orienter
  noun
• well-oriented
  adjective
• self-oriented
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have oriented
  perfect
• has oriented
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have been orienting
  perfect progressive
• has been orienting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• are orienting
  progressive
• orienting
  participle
• am orienting
  progressive 1st person singular
• is orienting
  progressive 3rd person singular
• orients
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had oriented
  perfect
• were orienting
  progressive plural
• was orienting
  progressive singular
• had been orienting
  perfect progressive
• oriented
  participle
• oriented
  simple

Future

• will orient
  simple
• will have oriented
  perfect
• will be orienting
  progressive
• will have been orienting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of orient

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin orient- (stem of oriēns ) “the east, sunrise,” noun use of present participle of orīrī “to rise”; see -ent

Explanation

When you orient yourself towards something, you point yourself towards it, literally or figuratively. The Orient is an old-fashioned name for Asia, or the East. It's where the sun rises, and, sure enough, the Latin root of orient means "rising," as in the rising of the sun. If you're lost in the woods, probably the first thing you'd do is look for the sun and try to orient yourself — figure out which direction you need to walk in order to get to where you want to go. You might also take out your orienteering equipment — your compass and map. If the sun isn't out, you might have to settle in and orient yourself to your surroundings and prepare for a long night in the woods.

Example Sentences

I will just say that it’s a bit like Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express,” if it were written in collaboration with Flannery O’Connor.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Guests on the Orient Express Corinthian ship have access to custom tailoring as well as a library with 1,500 books.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 18, 2026

However, Spurs were given an EFL Cup walkover after several Orient players tested positive for Covid-19 and the game was called off.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2025

Luton chose him above Wellens - who took Orient to the League One play-off final last year and has two promotions from League Two on his CV.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2025

The third said that it was a tradition in the Orient to use crystal glasses for tea because it had magical powers.

From "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho

Related Words

• adapt
• adjust
• align
• conform