# orientation

/ˌɔɹiɛnˈteɪʃən/ (US) · /ˌɔːɹiəntˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/orientation
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. physical position

noun · CEFR B2

the physical position or direction of an object compared to its surroundings.

For teachers: the relative physical position or direction of an object or person in space.

- The solar panels work best when they have a southern orientation.
- The architect adjusted the building's orientation to maximize natural light during the winter months while providing shade in the summer.

### 2. training or introduction

noun · CEFR B2

a meeting or training session to help you start a new job or school.

For teachers: a programme or process designed to introduce individuals to a new environment, such as a workplace or university.

- All new students must attend the orientation on Monday morning.
- The human resources department organized a three-day orientation to familiarize the new hires with the company's safety protocols and corporate culture.

### 3. beliefs or preferences

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

your basic goals, interests, or beliefs, such as your political or sexual orientation.

For teachers: a person's basic attitude, belief system, or preference, often used in social or psychological contexts.

- The company's new orientation is focused more on technology than sales.
- Sociologists often study how a person's religious orientation influences their voting patterns in national elections.

### 4. page layout

noun · CEFR B2

the way a page is turned, either tall (portrait) or wide (landscape).

For teachers: the direction in which a document is displayed or printed on a screen or paper.

- You need to change the page orientation to landscape to fit the whole table.
- The software automatically detects the device's orientation and adjusts the user interface from portrait to landscape mode.

## Examples

- All new students must attend the orientation on Monday morning.
- During the three-day orientation, the dean explained the university's grading system and introduced the campus support services.
- While the academic curriculum is rigorous, the initial orientation serves to mitigate student anxiety by providing a clear roadmap of administrative expectations and social opportunities.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.