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

Plants grow to about 4 feet tall with narrow leaves, and infrequent but exotic flowers, almost like small, greenish-yellow orchids. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026

Included are gardens with mature trees, an orchid greenhouse, vegetable and herb beds, native plants, cactus and succulents. —Martina Schimitschek, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026

Common toad lily bears orchid-like blooms that are white with dark purple spots, but other varieties are lavender or white without spots. —Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026

Even for auspicious houseplants like orchids, used as a symbol of abundance and prosperity, prices were slashed by as much as 40% from last year. —ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026

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