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

In Elf, while Santa (the late Ed Asner) is setting out toys at an orphanage on Christmas Eve, Buddy (Will Ferrell) crawls into his sack. —Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025

From orphanage to adoption, Annie goes on a journey to find her family. —Libby Smith, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025

Amos, a British journalist, first came to the Russian city of Pskov in 2007 to volunteer at an orphanage for disabled children. —Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

Gift drive for orphanage Local philanthropist Rosie Mentado, who is a manager at McDonald’s, is running a holiday gift drive to benefit the children at the nonprofit Nazareth Orphanage in Tecate, Mexico. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2025

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