noun

orientation

or-ee-en-TAY-shun

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Orientation (noun) means an introductory session or programme that familiarises new students, employees or members with a place and its procedures. Example: “Freshers' orientation runs for three days before lectures start.”

noun

An introductory session or programme that familiarises new students, employees or members with a place and its procedures.

"Freshers' orientation runs for three days before lectures start."

"At orientation they gave us a lanyard, a map and far too many leaflets."

The direction or position in which something is placed or facing relative to its surroundings.

"Change the page orientation to landscape before printing."

"The building's orientation means the kitchen gets sun all afternoon."

A person's pattern of sexual or romantic attraction; short for sexual orientation.

"The policy protects staff regardless of age, religion or orientation."

The general outlook, leaning or set of priorities of a person, organisation or piece of work.

"The department has a strongly practical orientation."

How to use orientation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWhich way something faces, or the session that shows newcomers the ropes.

When to use it

Neutral across all senses.

Memory tip

American speakers use orientation for the new-student session; British institutions more often say induction or freshers' week.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

induction → onboarding → alignment → orienteering →

Common pairings

student orientation page orientation sexual orientation orientation session

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Can you complete this real example?

Freshers' _____ runs for three days before lectures start.

Etymology

From French orientation, from orienter 'to set facing east', ultimately from Latin oriens 'the rising sun, the east'. Early churches and maps were aligned eastwards, which gave the word its sense of establishing direction.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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induction introduction briefing onboarding alignment position bearing aspect leaning emphasis bent inclination

Related words

look set side face position view straight charge

Rhymes for orientation

region ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation diffusion elocution extension oxidation perfusion selection

See all rhymes for orientation →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between orientation and onboarding?

Orientation is the short introductory event, often a day or two, covering paperwork, tours and basic policies. Onboarding is the longer process it belongs to, running for months until the newcomer is fully effective in the role.

What does portrait and landscape orientation mean?

Portrait orientation is taller than it is wide, the usual way a page of text is printed. Landscape is wider than it is tall, better for spreadsheets, wide images and slides.

Is it orientation or orientate?

Orientation is the noun for both. The verb is orient in American English and either orient or orientate in British English; orient is shorter and safe everywhere.

What is the meaning of orientation?

"orientation" (noun) means an introductory session or programme that familiarises new students, employees or members with a place and its procedures.

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look set side face position view straight charge