orient

UK: 'Orient': /ˈɔːriənt/; 'orient': /ˈɔːriɛnt/

US: /n. ˈɔriənt, -iˌɛnt; v. ˈɔriˌɛnt/

US: (n., adj. ôr′ē ənt, -ē ent′, ōr′-; v. ôr′ē ent′, ōr′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

o•ri•ent /n. ˈɔriənt, -iˌɛnt; v. ˈɔriˌɛnt/   n. 

1. Place Names Orient, [proper noun* the + ~]
   • the countries of Asia, esp. East Asia, such as China, Japan, and India.
   • (formerly) the countries to the E of the Mediterranean.

v. [~ + object]

2. to find or figure out for (oneself or another) one's location or place by referring to one's surroundings, circumstances, facts, etc.
3. to make (someone) familiar with new surroundings or circumstances:
   to orient new students to the campus.
4. to place (something) in a position that relates or refers to the points of the compass or other locations:
   to orient a building north and south.

See -ori-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

o•ri•ent  (n., adj. ôr′ē ənt, -ē ent′, ōr′-; v. ôr′ē ent′, ōr′-), n. 

1. Place Names the Orient:
   • the countries of Asia, esp. East Asia.
   • (formerly) the countries to the E of the Mediterranean.
2. Jewelry
   • an orient pearl.
   • Jewelry the iridescence of a pearl.
3. the east;
   the eastern region of the heavens or the world.

v.t. 

4. to adjust with relation to, or bring into due relation to surroundings, circumstances, facts, etc.
5. to familiarize (a person) with new surroundings or circumstances, or the like:
   lectures designed to orient the new students.
6. to place in any definite position with reference to the points of the compass or other locations:
   to orient a building north and south.
7. to direct or position toward a particular object:
   Orient it toward that house.
8. to determine the position of in relation to the points of the compass;
   get the bearings of.
9. to place so as to face the east, esp. to build (a church) with the chief altar to the east and the chief entrance to the west.
10. [Survey.] to set (the horizontal circle of a surveying instrument) so that readings give correct azimuths.
11. Mathematics to assign to (a surface) a constant, outward direction at each point.

v.i. 

12. to turn toward the east or in any specified direction.

adj. 

13. Jewelry (of a gem or pearl) exceptionally fine and lustrous;
    oriental.
14. Archaic. rising or appearing, esp. as from below the horizon:
    the orient sun.

• Latin orient- (stem of oriēns) the east, sunrise, noun, nominal use of present participle of orīrī to rise; see -ent
• Middle French
• Middle English 1350–1400

o ′ri•ent′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 5. . accustom, relate, orientate.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

orient noun / ˈɔːrɪənt/

1. 
   another word for east
   Compare occident
2. the eastern sky or the dawn
3. the iridescent lustre of a pearl
4. (as modifier): orient pearls
5. a pearl of high quality

adjective / ˈɔːrɪənt/

1. (of the sun, stars, etc) rising

verb / ˈɔːrɪˌɛnt/

1. to adjust or align (oneself or something else) according to surroundings or circumstances
2. (transitive) to position, align, or set (a map, surveying instrument, etc) with reference to the points of the compass or other specific directions
3. (transitive) to set or build (a church) in an easterly direction

Etymology: 18th Century: via French from Latin oriēns rising (sun), from orīrī to rise

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Orient / ˈɔːrɪənt/ noun the Orient ⇒

1. the countries east of the Mediterranean
2. the eastern hemisphere