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

The royal wore a sleeveless midi dress courtesy of Rebecca Vallance, featuring a bouquet of blue orchids cascading across the fabric. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 13 June 2025

Designed as an orchid, the petals are set throughout with round brilliant and old European-cut diamonds, further enhanced by round brilliant, old European and single-cut diamonds of a yellow tint. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025

The main character of this wide-ranging history is Cattleya labiata, a purple-and-red orchid from Brazil. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 19 May 2025

The nonprofit organization's objective is to stimulate interest in orchids and their culture. —Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 11 May 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