orientation

[ awr-ee-uhn-tey-shuhn, -en-, ohr- ]

/ ˌɔr i ənˈteɪ ʃən, -ɛn-, ˌoʊr- /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for orientation on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act or process of orienting.

the state of being oriented.

an introduction, as to guide one in adjusting to new surroundings, employment, activity, or the like: New employees receive two days of orientation.

Psychology, Psychiatry. the ability to locate oneself in one's environment with reference to time, place, and people.

one's position in relation to true north, to points on the compass, or to a specific place or object.

the ascertainment of one's true position, as in a novel situation, with respect to attitudes, judgments, etc.

Chemistry.

the relative positions of certain atoms or groups, especially in aromatic compounds.
the determination of the position of substituted atoms or groups in a compound.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of orientation

First recorded in 1830–40; orientate + -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM orientation

o·ri·en·ta·tive, adjectivenon·o·ri·en·ta·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for orientation

orientation

/ (ˌɔːrɪɛnˈteɪʃən) /

noun

the act or process of orienting or the state of being oriented

position or positioning with relation to the points of the compass or other specific directions

the adjustment or alignment of oneself or one's ideas to surroundings or circumstances

Also called: orientation course mainly US and Canadian

a course, programme, lecture, etc, introducing a new situation or environment
(as modifier)an orientation talk

psychol the knowledge of one's own temporal, social, and practical circumstances in life

basic beliefs or preferencessexual orientation

biology the change in position of the whole or part of an organism in response to a stimulus, such as light

chem the relative dispositions of atoms, ions, or groups in molecules or crystals

the siting of a church on an east-west axis, usually with the altar at the E end

Derived forms of orientation

orientational, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

orientation

Origin of orientation

OTHER WORDS FROM orientation

Words related to orientation

British Dictionary definitions for orientation

Derived forms of orientation