The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Orientation \O`ri*en*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F. orientation.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. The act or process of orientating; determination of the
      points of the compass, or the east point, in taking
      bearings.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. (Fig.): A return to first principles; an orderly
      arrangement.
      [1913 Webster]

            The task of orientation undertaken in this chapter.
                                                  --L. F. Ward.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

orientation
    n 1: the act of orienting
    2: an integrated set of attitudes and beliefs
    3: position or alignment relative to points of the compass or
       other specific directions
    4: a predisposition in favor of something; "a predilection for
       expensive cars"; "his sexual preferences"; "showed a Marxist
       orientation" [syn: predilection, preference,
       orientation]
    5: a person's awareness of self with regard to position and time
       and place and personal relationships
    6: a course introducing a new situation or environment [syn:
       orientation course, orientation]