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

The Horans’ youngest child, John, died at the orphanage at age 8, while the older children later spread out across the country. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2026

Shtilerman feared that his ex-wife would be arrested and their kids placed in an orphanage if the Russian authorities discovered their ties to one of Ukraine’s top arms manufacturers. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

But by the 1920s, orphanages began to fall out of favor among educators and psychologists. — Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

Roberts has an American Dream story - from his beginnings in an orphanage in South Korea. — Elizabeth MacBride, Forbes.com, 2 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