organ

noun

or·gan | \ ˈȯr-gən

Definition of organ

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a archaic : any of various musical instruments especially : wind instrument

b(1) : a keyboard instrument in which sets of pipes are sounded by compressed air and produce a variety of timbres

— called also pipe organ

(2) : reed organ

(3) : an electronic keyboard instrument that approximates the sounds and resources of the pipe organ

(4) : any of various similar cruder instruments

2a : a differentiated structure (such as a heart, kidney, leaf, or stem) consisting of cells and tissues and performing some specific function in an organism

b : bodily parts performing a function or cooperating in an activity the eyes and related structures that make up the visual organs

3 : a subordinate group or organization that performs specialized functions the various organs of government

4 : periodical

organ-

combining form

variants: or organo-

Definition of organ- (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : organ organogenesis

2 : organic organomercurial

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about organ

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Examples of organ in a Sentence

Noun

the legislative organ of our government that newspaper is intended as an organ for the whole university community

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Much of plants’ intelligence is hidden below ground, in the roots, their most important organ. — Gerard Helferich, WSJ, "‘The Revolutionary Genius of Plants’ Review: Thinking Like a Flower," 4 Jan. 2019 Well, consuming certain nutrients in supplement form versus food form can induce oxidative stress rather than treating it — and cause more harm than good to your organs. — Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, "9 Keto Diet Dangers Nutritionists Want You to Know About," 2 Jan. 2019 There are a number of abnormal but typically benign growths that can occur on your reproductive organs, including ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, uterine/endometrial polyps, and cervical polyps. — Amy Marturana, SELF, "12 Causes of Spotting and Breakthrough Bleeding," 28 Dec. 2018 Hutcherson went on to explain how tightened pelvic floor muscles can also cause intense pain during orgasm as your pelvic floor supports all your internal organs. — Corinne Werder, Allure, "Want to Have Better Sex? Stop Worrying About Orgasms," 11 Oct. 2018 Here are three common conditions that might be causing your next-level cramps: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease This is an infection in your reproductive organs, typically caused by an untreated STD (yep, just another reason to always use a condom). — Elizabeth Kiefer, Teen Vogue, "What Is A Period? 10 Things To Know About Your Menstrual Cycle," 6 Sep. 2018 Some of your organs are shifted temporarily, and in rare cases, removed temporarily during delivery. — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "Beyoncé on How She Learned to Love Her Body After Giving Birth," 6 Aug. 2018 Our skin cells are epithelial cells, as are the cells that form the walls of many of our organs. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Discover a New Shape That Might Be Inside You Right Now," 30 July 2018 Within a week, the cells were growing into organoids—small blobs of tissue similar to organs in mature organisms. — Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, "Researchers grow a placenta in a petri dish," 4 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'organ.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for organ

Noun

Middle English, partly from Old English organa, from Latin organum, from Greek organon, literally, tool, instrument; partly from Anglo-French organe, from Latin organum; akin to Greek ergon work — more at work

Combining form

Greek organon

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