orphanage

noun

or·​phan·​age ˈȯr-fə-nij How to pronounce orphanage (audio)
ˈȯrf-nij
1
: the state of being an orphan
2
: an institution for the care of orphans

Examples of orphanage in a Sentence

After the death of his parents, he was raised in an orphanage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Who is Natalia Grace? Natalia was born in Ukraine and placed in an orphanage after birth. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025 The pair are criminally responsibility for taking hundreds of children from Ukrainian orphanages and homes to be put up for adoption in Russia, according to ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan. Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025 English speakers also arrived as volunteers, flocking in their matching T-shirts to local hospitals and orphanages. Ryan Lenora Brown, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2025 Thousands have been taken from orphanages and forcibly relocated, with only 1,037 returned to Ukraine to date. Katya Soldak, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for orphanage

Word History

Etymology

orphan entry 1 + -age, after Middle Frenchorphelinage

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of orphanage was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Orphanage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orphanage. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

orphanage

noun
or·​phan·​age ˈȯrf-(ə-)nij How to pronounce orphanage (audio)
: an institution for the care of orphans

More from Merriam-Webster on orphanage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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