orient

Everyday

1. To find out or work out where you are or which way you are facing, as in "orient yourself with a map". tree →
2. To turn or place something to face a certain way, as in "oriented north". tree →
3. To aim something at a particular group or purpose, as in "a course oriented to beginners". tree →
4. (the Orient, old-fashioned) The countries of East Asia. tree →

In the lessons

Used in geography and outdoor education (orienteering, using a compass to orient a map), in maths (orientation of a shape), and in everyday life (a new pupil getting oriented at school). The noun "the Orient" is old-fashioned and now usually replaced by "East Asia" or "Asia".

Examples

• Use the compass to orient the map to north. tree →
• It took me a week to orient myself in the new school. tree →
• The house is oriented to face the sun. tree →
• The church is oriented east, as many old churches are. tree →
• The game is oriented towards young children. tree →
• Marco Polo travelled to the Orient. (old-fashioned) tree →

Note

UK also uses "orientate" (orientate, orientated) with the same meaning; both are correct. Noun "orientation". "The Orient" and "oriental" sound old-fashioned and can offend when used about people; say "East Asia" or name the country.

In Jewish tradition

Used in geography and outdoor education (orienteering, using a compass to orient a map), in maths (orientation of a shape), and in everyday life (a new pupil getting oriented at school). The noun "the Orient" is old-fashioned and now usually replaced by "East Asia" or "Asia".

Note

UK also uses "orientate" (orientate, orientated) with the same meaning; both are correct. Noun "orientation". "The Orient" and "oriental" sound old-fashioned and can offend when used about people; say "East Asia" or name the country.