orchid

noun

or·​chid ˈȯr-kəd 

1

: any of a large family (Orchidaceae, the orchid family) of perennial epiphytic or terrestrial monocotyledonous plants that usually have showy 3-petaled flowers with the middle petal enlarged into a lip and differing from the others in shape and color

2

: a light purple

orchidlike

ˈȯr-kəd-ˌlīk 

adjective

Illustration of orchid

• orchid 1

Examples of orchid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Everything smells like a dreamy mix of violet, vanilla orchid, and sandalwood—a little tropical treat with every shower. —Blake Bakkila, Glamour, 10 Jan. 2025

The bouquet includes daisies, cornflowers, eucalyptus, roses, orchids, a waterlily dahlia, and more, all in pretty pastel hues of pink, orange, green, and blue. —Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025

Garden Fair: The Sweetwater Oaks Garden Club’s Garden Fair will feature vendors selling plants, shrubs, roses, orchids, birdhouses, decorative garden and yard art. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025

If your orchid came from the store potted in sphagnum moss, Kondrat recommends repotting it in a chunky potting mix labeled for orchids as soon as it is done blooming. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin orchid-, the base of the taxa names Orchideae and Orchidaceae — more at orchidaceous

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing orchid

• vanda orchid

Kids Definition

orchid

noun

or·​chid ˈȯr-kəd 

1

: any plant or flower of a large family of plants that have usually showy flowers with three petals of which the middle petal is enlarged and differs from the others in shape and color

2

: a light purple