organ

1 of 2

noun

or·​gan ˈȯr-gən 

1

a

: a differentiated structure (such as a heart, kidney, leaf, or stem) consisting of cells and tissues and performing some specific function in an organism

b

: bodily parts performing a function or cooperating in an activity

the eyes and related structures that make up the visual organs

2

a(1)

: a keyboard instrument in which sets of pipes are sounded by compressed air and produce a variety of timbres

called also pipe organ

(2)

: an electronic keyboard instrument that approximates the sounds and resources of the pipe organ

(3)

: reed organ

(4)

: any of various similar cruder instruments

b

archaic : any of various musical instruments

especially : wind instrument

3

: a subordinate group or organization that performs specialized functions

the various organs of government

4

: periodical

organ-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or organo-

1

: organ

organogenesis

2

: organic

organomercurial

Synonyms

Noun

• book
• bulletin
• diurnal
• gazette
• journal
• mag
• magazine
• newspaper
• paper
• periodical
• rag
• review
• serial
• zine

Examples of organ in a Sentence

Noun

the legislative organ of our government

that newspaper is intended as an organ for the whole university community

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The organ looks like a gap in the scales covered by a membrane and allows the snakes to triangulate the location of possible prey, even in the dark, the museum says. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024

Dying of natural causes can be similar to a car shutting down after years of use: Your body slows down and stops, and essential organs stop working. —Korin Miller, Health, 2 Apr. 2024

As well as sharing all organs below the waist, the twins also share a bloodstream. —Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024

Veterinarians removed the arrow, which missed the animal’s lungs and vital organs, and closed up the wounds, the group said. —Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024

The organ practically announces Clementine’s previous incarnation, though its current usage is often distinctly different from its original purpose. —Tom Roland, Billboard, 29 Mar. 2024

Stage 4 cancer refers to a tumor that has spread far from its origins to grow on other organs. —Alexander Olawaiye, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2024

Strep zoo respiratory disease attacks lung function, often causing the organ to bleed and fluid to collect in the surrounding areas, the study said. —The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024

However, in around 1,328 cases, brains survived in the absence of other soft tissues, prompting questions as to why this organ may persist while others decompose. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, partly from Old English organa, from Latin organum, from Greek organon, literally, tool, instrument; partly from Anglo-French organe, from Latin organum; akin to Greek ergon work — more at work

Combining form

Greek organon

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Phrases Containing organ

• barrel organ
• electric organ
• end organ
• hand organ
• house organ
• Jacobson's organ
• mouth organ
• organ-grinder
• organ of Corti
• organ pipe cactus
• pineal organ
• pipe organ
• reed organ
• sense organ
• vomeronasal organ

Kids Definition

organ

noun

or·​gan ˈȯr-gən 

1

a

: a keyboard musical instrument in which sets of pipes are sounded by compressed air

b

: an electronic keyboard musical instrument by which sounds like those of an organ are made

2

: a part (as a kidney or leaf) of a person, plant, or animal that consists of cells and tissues and is specialized to do a particular task compare system sense 1b

3

: a way of getting something done

courts are organs of government

4

: a publication (as a newspaper or magazine) of a special group

Medical Definition

organ

noun

or·​gan ˈȯr-gən 

: a differentiated structure (as a heart or kidney) consisting of cells and tissues and performing some specific function in an organism