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
Knowing that this was our first ride, we were given an orientation video.
—Rochelle Eastman, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
And in 2022, scientists found that gecko feet are coated with an ultra-thin layer of lipid molecules in an upright orientation.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 4 Feb. 2025
The lawsuit argues that in this case, the Executive Office of Immigration Review, which operates the immigration court, found the nonprofits’ orientation programs sped up proceedings and decreased the time immigrants are detained at taxpayer expense.
—Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2025
Maybe more bizarrely, past research has shown rat eyes also move in opposite directions from one another depending on the orientation of its head.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for orientation 
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Rochelle Eastman, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
And in 2022, scientists found that gecko feet are coated with an ultra-thin layer of lipid molecules in an upright orientation.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 4 Feb. 2025
The lawsuit argues that in this case, the Executive Office of Immigration Review, which operates the immigration court, found the nonprofits’ orientation programs sped up proceedings and decreased the time immigrants are detained at taxpayer expense.
—Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2025
Maybe more bizarrely, past research has shown rat eyes also move in opposite directions from one another depending on the orientation of its head.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for orientation
Articles Related to orientation
Dictionary Entries Near orientation
Cite this Entry
“Orientation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orientation. Accessed 11 Feb. 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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