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

The 15-foot carcass was covered in bite wounds and stripped of its internal organs, leaving locals and scientists with the same question: What on Earth could have killed it? —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, organ meats contain about 1.8 to 1.9 mg of iron for every 3 oz. cooked. —Audrey Noble, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2025

Elsewhere, the dilemma at the heart of the segment is whether Hanan and Salim would donate Noor’s organs to recipients in need (most likely Israeli recipients) when his untimely demise was the fault of a bankrupt system enforced by the Israeli occupation to begin it. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025

Scientists are genetically altering pigs, so their organs are more human-like to support a severe shortage of human organs that can be used for transplants. —Landon Mion, Fox News, 26 Jan. 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

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