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Definition 2024


wayfinding

wayfinding

See also: way-finding

English

Alternative forms

Noun

wayfinding (uncountable)

  1. (biology) The ability of a person or animal to orientate itself and to navigate; the process used by a person or animal for orienting itself and navigating.
    • 2009 July 8, Kristi Oloffson, "Why We Get Lost," Time (retrieved 9 May 2014):
      And that difference in style is often cast as being part of the basis of gender differences in wayfinding. People say that women are more likely to navigate with landmarks and men are more likely to navigate using the cardinal directions.
    • 2015, Chris Calori, ‎David Vanden-Eynden, Signage and Wayfinding Design
      These built‐in features in the natural and man‐made environment are the passive tools of wayfinding. The best places and spaces are rich with these integrated attributes that foster orientation, understanding, and self‐guiding.

Usage notes

  • Often used attributively to mean "of or pertaining to orienting and navigating", as in:
Buncombe County’s Tourism Development Authority unveiled its $1.65 million wayfinding program in 2009, consisting of more than 300 signs directing visitors to nearly 90 attractions, public spaces, historic sites and other destinations.

References