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

Turns out, the ideal conditions for this particular orchid are also ripe for a woodpecker comeback. —Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025

Allow your orchid to dry out between waterings. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025

Sympodial orchids cannot rebloom on the same flower stalk. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025

Countless orchids stick out from greenery and drape down from trees in the forest, and across 85 square miles at least 130 orchid species have been found. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 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