Orientation Direction

What does "orientation direction" mean?

Most modern magnet materials have a "grain," meaning they can only be magnetized in one direction for maximum effect. This is the "orientation direction," also called the "easy axis" or simply the "axis."

Unoriented magnets (also called "isotropic magnets") are much weaker than oriented magnets and can be magnetized in any direction. Oriented magnets, also called "anisotropic magnets," are not the same in every direction: they have a preferred direction in which they should be magnetized.