orchid

noun

or·​chid ˈȯr-kəd How to pronounce orchid (audio)
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 adjective

Illustration of orchid

Illustration of orchid
  • orchid 1

Examples of orchid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Seeing Bernice, like the surprise of seeing a beautiful peacock at my front door, the butterflies in my backyard and the budding orchids, brought me a bit of happiness that was sorely needed in my life. Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 7 June 2024 Vendors will be selling orchids, carnivorous plants, bromeliads, cacti, cycads, palms, epiphyllum, tillandsia, terrarium plants, begonias and tree ferns. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024 On our first evening the piano bar—resplendent in gold Thai silks, with tiger orchids blooming across the green carpet—was filled with laughter, the glug-glug-glug of Champagne pouring, and the tinkle of keys. Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2024 Additionally, Yosemite's rich plant life features more than 1,500 vascular plant species, including towering giant sequoias, the Yosemite bog orchid, which is only found in Yosemite National Park, beautiful blue lupine, and, at lower elevations, California poppy. Carrie Dennis, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for orchid 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of orchid was in 1845

Dictionary Entries Near orchid

Cite this Entry

“Orchid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orchid. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

orchid

noun
or·​chid ˈȯr-kəd How to pronounce orchid (audio)
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

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