orientate
verb
ori·en·tate
ˈȯr-ē-ən-ˌtāt 
-ˌen-
orientated; orientating
: to face or turn to the east
situated the church so that it orientates
chiefly British
: orient
she learned to orientate new service members in the principles, practices and tools necessary to function in the Air Force—
Lancaster New Era
Lancaster New Era
Did you know?
Orientate is a synonym of orient. Both can mean "to cause to face toward the east." The proper noun Orient refers to "the East." The verbs, however, have broader meanings that relate to setting or determining direction or position, either literally or figuratively. Orientate tends to be used more often in British English than it is in American English.
Examples of orientate in a Sentence
a program that helps to orientate new students
She needs to orientate herself to her new job.
Recent Examples on the Web
Some archaeologists believe that the Ancient Egyptians may have orientated the Great Pyramids of Giza to face an alignment of the stars Kochab and Mizar - a star in the Big Dipper asterism - which were on opposite sides of the celestial pole around that era.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 May 2025
The ear cups are color-coded for left and right channels so users can quickly and easily orientate them in low light, a nice touch.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
These include an economic malaise that has gripped the country in recent years, with its car-and-export-orientated economy looking vulnerable, as well as a thorny debate over immigration and integration that has seen the likes of the AfD rise in prominence and popularity.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025
Our guys have done a great job of orientating their minds in a different way this season.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
In El Paso, people have opened small businesses orientated to the lowriding community.
—Fernanda Figueroa and Melissa Perez Winder, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2024
Under Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior has orientated its references towards the classic Bar jackets and circle skirts of the 1950s.
—Joy Montgomery, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2025
This develops in kittens between 3-9 weeks of age and enables them to orientate themselves mid-air.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
Our guys have done a great job of orientating their minds in a different way this season.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 20 May 2025
The ear cups are color-coded for left and right channels so users can quickly and easily orientate them in low light, a nice touch.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
These include an economic malaise that has gripped the country in recent years, with its car-and-export-orientated economy looking vulnerable, as well as a thorny debate over immigration and integration that has seen the likes of the AfD rise in prominence and popularity.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2025
Our guys have done a great job of orientating their minds in a different way this season.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
In El Paso, people have opened small businesses orientated to the lowriding community.
—Fernanda Figueroa and Melissa Perez Winder, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2024
Under Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior has orientated its references towards the classic Bar jackets and circle skirts of the 1950s.
—Joy Montgomery, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2025
This develops in kittens between 3-9 weeks of age and enables them to orientate themselves mid-air.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
Our guys have done a great job of orientating their minds in a different way this season.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Orientate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orientate. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share