orphanage

noun

or·​phan·​age ˈȯr-fə-nij 

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

After her father died during a stint of temporary housing in Trieste, Italy’s new bordertown, Marisa was sent to live in an orphanage as her mother worked. — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

In Kogi State, bandits recently raided an orphanage and took twenty-three children hostage. — Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

The organization began in 1865 when a Lutheran pastor and his congregation opened an orphanage near Red Wing. — Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 28 July 2026

At 7 months old, the twins — who were dropped off at the same orphanage in China several days apart and had different birth dates on their paperwork — were both adopted within the same group of visiting families. — Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

orphan entry 1 + -age, after Middle French orphelinage

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

orphanage

noun

or·​phan·​age ˈȯrf-(ə-)nij 

: an institution for the care of orphans