organ

1 of 2

noun

or·​gan ˈȯr-gən 

1

a

: 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

2

a(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-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or organo-

1

: organ

organogenesis

2

: organic

organomercurial

Synonyms

Noun

• newspaper
• periodical
• journal
• magazine
• book

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

Over time, high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can damage nerves, kidneys, eyes, feet, skin, and other organs. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2025

Lower right back pain can stem from sprains, strains, back conditions, nerve compression, chronic health problems, or issues with internal organs. —Brandi Jones, Health, 6 Sep. 2025

Plants produce a large, fleshy underground storage organ (the bulb) that, at the appropriate time of year, and in response to a certain set of environmental conditions, sends out a spray of strap-like leaves and one or more stalks that end in one or more flowers. —Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025

After stepping back from public duties in 2002, the duchess, who had a deep passion for music and played the piano, organ and violin, taught the subject at a primary school in Hull, northeastern England, for several years. —Max Foster, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Phrases Containing organ

• barrel organ
• electric organ
• end organ
• hand organ
• house organ
• Jacobson's organ
• mouth organ
• organ-grinder
• organ of Corti
• organ pipe cactus
• pineal organ
• pipe organ
• reed organ
• sense organ
• vomeronasal organ

Rhymes for organ

• gorgon
• morgen

Kids Definition

organ

noun

or·​gan ˈȯr-gən 

1

a

: a keyboard musical instrument in which sets of pipes are sounded by compressed air

b

: an electronic keyboard musical instrument by which sounds like those of an organ are made

2

: a part (as a kidney or leaf) of a person, plant, or animal that consists of cells and tissues and is specialized to do a particular task compare system sense 1b

3

: a way of getting something done

courts are organs of government

4

: a publication (as a newspaper or magazine) of a special group

Medical Definition

organ

noun

or·​gan ˈȯr-gən 

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