orientation
noun
ori·en·ta·tion
ˌȯr-ē-ən-ˈtā-shən 
-ˌen-
plural orientations
1
a
: the act or process of orienting or of being oriented
These materials are for the orientation of new employees.
b
: the state of being oriented
the orientation of the main altar of the church
2
a
: a usually general or lasting direction of thought, inclination, or interest
the fundamentally human orientation of Greek art—
Bruce Cole
Bruce ColeThis company has a decidedly conservative orientation.
b
: a person's sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, straight, gay, lesbian, pansexual, etc. : the state of being bisexual, straight, gay, lesbian, pansexual, etc. : sexual orientation
3
: change of position by organs, organelles, or organisms in response to external stimulus
The plant's orientation is toward light.
orientationally
adverb
Examples of orientation in a Sentence
These materials are used for the orientation of new employees.
They identified as bisexual in orientation.
The organization has a decidedly conservative orientation.
Her later works were more introspective in orientation.
New students need to go through a short orientation before they begin classes.
Recent Examples on the Web
The front facing camera will have a square sensor that the company says allows for multiple photo orientations when used for selfies.
—James Powel, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Inertial sensors, gyroscopes, and accelerometers act like an inner ear to maintain balance and orientation.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
Securing one of 42 invites to the summer orientation camp was the first step.
—Chris Johnston, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Hooters did not provide Fox News Digital with its uniform requirements, but Lamb told Fox News Digital in an April interview that trying on the outfit was part of the orientation process.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for orientation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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James Powel, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Inertial sensors, gyroscopes, and accelerometers act like an inner ear to maintain balance and orientation.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
Securing one of 42 invites to the summer orientation camp was the first step.
—Chris Johnston, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Hooters did not provide Fox News Digital with its uniform requirements, but Lamb told Fox News Digital in an April interview that trying on the outfit was part of the orientation process.
—Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for orientation
Cite this Entry
“Orientation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orientation. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
orientation
noun
ori·en·ta·tion
ˌōr-ē-ən-ˈtā-shən
ˌȯr-ē-ˌen-
1
a
: the act or process of orienting or of being oriented
b
: the state of being oriented
2
a
: a usually general or lasting direction of thought, inclination, or interest
b
: a person's sexual identity or self-identification
bisexual in orientation
3
: change of position by a cell or organism or by one of their parts in response to outside stimulus
Medical Definition
orientation
noun
ori·en·ta·tion
ˌōr-ē-ən-ˈtā-shən, ˌȯr-, -ˌen-
2
: a usually general or lasting direction of thought, inclination, or interest see sexual orientation
3
: change of position by organs, organelles, or organisms in response to external stimulus
4
: awareness of the existing situation with reference to time, place, and identity of persons
psychological orientation
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