Most modern magnetmaterials have a "grain" in that they can be magnetized for maximumeffect only through one direction. This is the "orientationdirection", also known as the "easy axis", or "axis".

Un-orientedmagnets (also known as "Isotropic magnets") are much weaker thanoriented magnets, and can be magnetized in any direction. Oriented magnets(also known as "Anisotropic magnets") are not the same in everydirection - they have a preferred direction in which they should be magnetized.