'leeward-oriented' is a compound in modern English formed from 'leeward' + 'oriented'. 'Leeward' itself comes from older Germanic elements meaning 'sheltered side' (see below), while 'oriented' comes from French/Latin roots related to 'orient'.

'leeward' traces back to Old English and Old Norse roots (e.g. Old Norse 'hlé' meaning 'shelter' and Old English elements including '-weard' meaning 'toward' or 'ward'), becoming Middle English 'leward'/'leeward' and modern 'leeward'. 'Orient(ed)' comes from Latin 'oriri' (to rise) via Medieval Latin 'orient-' and Old French 'orienter', entering English as 'orient' and later 'oriented'. The compound 'leeward-oriented' is a modern English formation combining these elements.

Originally, elements meant 'shelter' (lee) and 'toward' (-ward), and 'orient' originally related to the east or to turning/positioning; combined in modern usage they now mean 'positioned or directed toward the sheltered (leeward) side'.