Orientation \O`ri*en*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F. orientation.]

1. The act or process of orientating; determination of the points of the compass, or the east point, in taking bearings.

2. The tendency of a revolving body, when suspended in a certain way, to bring the axis of rotation into parallelism with the earth's axis.

3. An aspect or fronting to the east; especially (Arch.), the placing of a church so that the chancel, containing the altar toward which the congregation fronts in worship, will be on the east end.

4. Fig.: A return to first principles; an orderly arrangement.

The task of orientation undertaken in this chapter. --L. F. Ward.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)