orientation

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˌɔː.ɹi.ənˈteɪ.ʃən/, /ˌoɹiɛnˈteɪʃən/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is a noun of action from the verb orient,^[2][3][4] with the suffix -ation.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The arrangement of an object, especially a church, to face east or another direction: 1832 in Etymonline, 1839 in the OED and Merriam-Webster.^[2][5][6]

Semantic evolution

Turning to face the east in worship is from 1875.^[5] Determining the points of the compass, or one's position, is attested by 1868,^[2][5] hence the extended sense of determining one's mental bearings, with reference to new ideas, from 1870.^[2] The position of something relative to other things is from 1875.^[2][5] An introduction to a new situation, as an orientation course, is from 1942.^[2] A general tendency of thought, and sexual orientation, are later senses.^[7]

Timeline

• 1832 – facing east.^[2]
• 1868 – finding one's bearings.^[2]
• 1870 – mental bearings.^[2]
• 1875 – relative position.^[5]
• 1942 – an introduction to a situation.^[2]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. Position or direction relative to the points of the compass or to something else.
2. Adjustment or adaptation to a new environment or situation.
3. (chiefly US, Canada) An introductory programme for newcomers.
4. A general tendency of thought or inclination, such as sexual orientation.
5. The construction of a church with its main altar at the east end.

Word family

• orientational
• orientationally
• orientative
• reorientation
• sexual orientation

Related words

• nonorientable
• orient
• orientalism
• orientate
• orienteer
• oriental
• origin

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
4. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
5. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
7. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin