orienteering

noun

ori·​en·​teer·​ing ˌȯr-ē-ən-ˈtir-iŋ How to pronounce orienteering (audio)
-ˌen-
: a competitive or noncompetitive recreational activity in which participants use a map and compass to navigate between checkpoints along an unfamiliar course (as in the woods)

Examples of orienteering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
People from Nordic countries tended to be slightly better navigators, perhaps because the sport of orienteering, which combines cross-country running and navigation, is popular in those countries. Bob Holmes, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2024 Other drop-in events include an equestrian corner (with a pony), an introduction to orienteering, and demos of an all-terrain wheelchair and a terrain hopper at Scuppernong; and introduction to archery and hunting dog training at the Field Trial Grounds. Chelsey Lewis, Journal Sentinel, 4 May 2023 The beetles are known to have good orienteering skills; but unlike other animals that use environmental cues to navigate homeward, the dung beetle’s goal is to get far away from that big pile of poop. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 19 Jan. 2012 Today’s agenda included shooting from skis, orienteering, and sled handling. Stuart Stevens, Outside Online, 12 Dec. 2017 See all Example Sentences for orienteering 

Word History

Etymology

modification of Swedish orientering, from orientera to orient

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of orienteering was in 1948

Dictionary Entries Near orienteering

Cite this Entry

“Orienteering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orienteering. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

orienteering

noun
ori·​en·​teer·​ing ˌȯr-ē-ən-ˈtir-iŋ How to pronounce orienteering (audio)
: a competitive or noncompetitive recreational activity in which participants find their way over an unfamiliar course (as in the woods) using a map and compass

More from Merriam-Webster on orienteering

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!