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

• book
• bulletin
• diurnal
• gazette
• journal
• mag
• magazine
• newspaper
• paper
• periodical
• rag
• review
• serial
• zine

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

While most organ systems begin deteriorating in our 60s or 70s, women’s ovaries start declining in their mid-30s, with reproductive function ceasing entirely at menopause, typically around age 50. —Samantha Walravens, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Boise also added a flag promoting organ donation to its collection of official city flags. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 8 May 2025

One hundred and thirty-three red-robed cardinals from around the world have filed into the Sistine Chapel to the strains of a choir backed by organ music, and the doors were sealed behind them. —Nbc News, NBC news, 7 May 2025

Her husband and roadie, Joe Jenkins, watched as news crews captured his wife tickling the ivories on her portable organ and noted the significance of the dates chosen for her return. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 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