orienteering

American  

[awr-ee-en-teer-ing, ohr-] / ˌɔr i ɛnˈtɪər ɪŋ, ˌoʊr- /

noun

1. a competitive sport, originating in Sweden, that tests the skills of map reading and cross-country running, in which competitors race through an unknown area to find various checkpoints by using only a compass and topographical map, the winner being the finisher with the lowest elapsed time.

---

orienteering British  

/ ˌɔːrɪənˈtɪərɪŋ /

noun

1. a sport in which contestants race on foot over a course consisting of checkpoints found with the aid of a map and a compass

---

Etymology

Origin of orienteering

Alteration of Swedish orientering (conformed to -eer ), equivalent to orienter ( a ) orient (v.) + -ing -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Tilly Gerra, who was born with under-developed eyes, is studying multimedia journalism at the University of Northampton and requires support, including orienteering assistance, a braille printer and note-takers, to help her navigate the campus.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2025

Due to the lack of orienteering assistance, Ms Gerra has been relying on her mother for mobility support.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2025

For example, Fletcher argues that “smartphones can make people worse at performing everyday tasks. Basic orienteering skills and transport knowledge have been outsourced to apps.”

From Slate • Jan. 1, 2023

Coach Brady, whose passion is palpable, says orienteering teaches many life lessons.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 6, 2022

She’s left all her books, as far as I can see, but has taken the maps from the orienteering, or map reading, course.

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George