organ

noun

or·gan | \ ˈȯr-gən

Definition of organ

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

2a(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) : an electronic keyboard instrument that approximates the sounds and resources of the pipe organ

(3) : reed organ

(4) : any of various similar cruder instruments

b archaic : any of various musical instruments especially : wind instrument

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

Having a skin-care routine is about keeping my largest organ functioning happily and healthily. — Sara King-abadi, SELF, "What I Wish I Knew About Skin Care Before Moving to the Mountains," 12 Apr. 2019 All the while, lead built up in bones and slowly destroyed nearly every organ system in the body. — Serah-marie Mcmahon, Teen Vogue, "This New Book Is All About the Dark (And Sometimes Bloody) History of Fashion," 12 Apr. 2019 Laparoscopy is performed to examine the abdominal wall or the female pelvic organs and diagnose problems such as cysts, adhesions, fibroids, endometriosis, or infections that might be impacting ovulation or implantation. — Jennifer Gerson, Marie Claire, "Health & Fitness," 1 Oct. 2018 In sepsis, the chemicals your body releases into the bloodstream to fight an infection trigger a response that can damage organ systems and dangerously lower blood pressure — at times, fatally. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "'The View' Fans Rally Behind Whoopi Goldberg After She Says "Came Close to Leaving the Earth"," 8 Mar. 2019 That’s helpful in medical scenarios, such as preventing organ rejection after a transplant or to treat autoimmune diseases, but not so great for the average dieter. — Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, "Not So Fast," 24 Sep. 2018 When these mutations are passed on to female mosquitoes—the ones that actually bite people and spread diseases—the mutation damages their reproductive organs and prevents them from drawing blood. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Are Testing a Way to Exterminate Mosquitoes for Good," 20 Feb. 2019 Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the thin layer of tissue covering your internal organs, most often the lungs. — Tara C. Smith, SELF, "How Worried Do You Need to Be About Asbestos in Baby Powder and Other Talc Products?," 31 Jan. 2019 Along those lines, female insanity or hysteria has historically been tied to their reproductive organs. — Chloe Schama, Vogue, "How Laura Sims Turned the “Torturous Limbo” of Infertility Into Fascinating Fiction," 11 Jan. 2019

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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