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
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Or the manhole cover, framed with gentle arcs of purple and yellow moth orchids, yellow slipper orchids and pink and white Dancing Lady orchids.
—
Jennifer Vanasco, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026
The winning details were a bronze sculpture of a goldfish next to the television; a blooming orchid on the desk; the bowl of clementines next to a Sonos speaker on the bedside table; and, on the loveseat, a cozy wool throw blanket with a pattern that resembled that of Thai silks.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
An escalator ride up from the Dolby Theatre (guests wearing gowns were warned to scoop up their dresses), the ballroom was bursting with 12,500 flowers — including blush roses, otherworldly anthurium and bright orchids.
—Brittany Levine Beckman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Like orchids, this plant is an epiphyte, which grows on trees in its native environment.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
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Jennifer Vanasco, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026
The winning details were a bronze sculpture of a goldfish next to the television; a blooming orchid on the desk; the bowl of clementines next to a Sonos speaker on the bedside table; and, on the loveseat, a cozy wool throw blanket with a pattern that resembled that of Thai silks.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
An escalator ride up from the Dolby Theatre (guests wearing gowns were warned to scoop up their dresses), the ballroom was bursting with 12,500 flowers — including blush roses, otherworldly anthurium and bright orchids.
—Brittany Levine Beckman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Like orchids, this plant is an epiphyte, which grows on trees in its native environment.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for orchid
Cite this Entry
“Orchid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orchid. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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