Illustration of orchid
- orchid 1
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
Examples of orchid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Inspired by a real orchid, this model version has six large flowers plus two smaller flowers and a vase.
—
Casey Clark, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023
However, best-sellers like CK's Euphoria which smells like black orchid, and RL's woodsy floral eau de parfum Romance, are likely bound to sell out first.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 11 Oct. 2023
Jimmy Choo Eau de Parfum A sweet, yet warm aroma fusing notes of sweet Italian orange, pear nectar, tiger orchid, and patchouli.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2023
Your orchid, which will grow about 6-12 inches tall, will bloom once a year for about three months.
—Jennifer Aldrich, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2023
Plenty of gender-neutral scents with base notes of sandalwood and orchid made the cut too.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2023
Best fragrances for Pisces: The definition of a water sign, go for notes of driftwood and ocean breeze balanced by beach moss and orchid blooms for an ethereal touch.
—Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2023
Vanilla absolute and vanilla leaves are blended alongside pink pepper, orchid, cabreuva, vines, cypress root, dark patchouli, and hay—the scent is indeed deep and dark.
—Genevieve Monsma, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2023
People who cultivated peonies and roses and orchids were not necessarily kind, which was not a surprise.
—Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2023
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Casey Clark, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023
However, best-sellers like CK's Euphoria which smells like black orchid, and RL's woodsy floral eau de parfum Romance, are likely bound to sell out first.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 11 Oct. 2023
Jimmy Choo Eau de Parfum A sweet, yet warm aroma fusing notes of sweet Italian orange, pear nectar, tiger orchid, and patchouli.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2023
Your orchid, which will grow about 6-12 inches tall, will bloom once a year for about three months.
—Jennifer Aldrich, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2023
Plenty of gender-neutral scents with base notes of sandalwood and orchid made the cut too.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2023
Best fragrances for Pisces: The definition of a water sign, go for notes of driftwood and ocean breeze balanced by beach moss and orchid blooms for an ethereal touch.
—Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2023
Vanilla absolute and vanilla leaves are blended alongside pink pepper, orchid, cabreuva, vines, cypress root, dark patchouli, and hay—the scent is indeed deep and dark.
—Genevieve Monsma, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2023
People who cultivated peonies and roses and orchids were not necessarily kind, which was not a surprise.
—Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'orchid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Dictionary Entries Near orchid
Cite this Entry
“Orchid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orchid. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on orchid
Nglish: Translation of orchid for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of orchid for Arabic Speakers
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