orphanage

noun

or·​phan·​age ˈȯr-fə-nij 

ˈȯrf-nij

1

: the state of being an orphan

2

: an institution for the care of orphans

Examples of orphanage in a Sentence

After the death of his parents, he was raised in an orphanage.

Recent Examples on the Web

She’s faced with the threat of being kicked out of her orphanage and must suddenly embrace her identity and confront the reality of making it through life on her own. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026

Turner started Bethesda’s football program as an 8-man team in 2004, when the Savannah private school, originally an orphanage founded in 1740, was still a children’s home for boys. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 2026

That includes specialized medical care for villagers or putting in volunteer time at orphanages. — Grant Peck, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Kim, meanwhile, was born across the globe in South Korea and spent time at an orphanage there. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

orphan entry 1 + -age, after Middle French orphelinage

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

orphanage

noun

or·​phan·​age ˈȯrf-(ə-)nij 

: an institution for the care of orphans