orientation

Everyday

1. The direction something faces or points: north, south, up, sideways. tree →
2. (school) A short welcome time or tour that helps new pupils or workers learn their way around. tree →
3. (maps, maths) Finding your way using a map and compass; or how a shape is turned. tree →
4. (formal) A person's basic beliefs, interests or who they are attracted to (as in «sexual orientation»). tree →

In the lessons

In maths, the orientation of a shape changes when you rotate or reflect it; a page can be portrait or landscape orientation. In geography and outdoor education, orienteering is a sport of finding your way with a map. In school, «orientation day» welcomes new students. Phrases: «portrait/landscape orientation», «orientation day», «sense of orientation», «sexual orientation».

Examples

• Turn the page to landscape orientation for your graph. tree →
• The new pupils had an orientation tour of the school. tree →
• After the shape is rotated, its orientation changes but its size stays the same. tree →
• Use the compass to check the orientation of the map. tree →
• The house has a south-facing orientation, so it gets lots of sun. tree →
• Freshers' week at university begins with orientation. tree →

Note

Countable and uncountable. Verb: orient (US) / orientate (UK). Related: orienteering. Maths: rotations and reflections change orientation; translations do not. «Sexual orientation» is a respectful formal phrase used in law and health.