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

The book recounts that, working with a botanist named Marcel Lecoufle, Madame Carven created a white orchid that had a green centre. —Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025

Spikes of tiny pink orchids and clusters of deep blue gentian dot the sides of the trail. —R29 Team, Refinery29, 19 Sep. 2025

The addition of classic solar notes like benzoin, vanilla orchid, and amber woods ensures the sugary sweetness never becomes too sweet or headache-inducing. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025

Orchid Fever How seductive are orchids? —Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025

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