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organ

noun
or·​gan | \ ˈȯr-gÉ™n How to pronounce organ (audio) \

Definition of organ

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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
2a(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-

combining form
variants: or organo-

Definition of organ- (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : organ organogenesis
2 : organic organomercurial
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about organ

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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

 So can various immune-suppressing drugs that people need to take after getting a transplant so their bodies don’t reject their new organs. — Patia Braithwaite, SELF, "What Is Herd Immunity, And Why Does It Matter?," 26 Aug. 2019 Charles Koch has served as the philosophical and hands-on leader, while David was chairman of the foundation that oversees AFP, their flagship political organ. — Tom Metcalf, Fortune, "David Koch, Industrialist Who Funded Conservatives, Dies at 79," 23 Aug. 2019 Years later, his organs would start to shut down as his creatine levels dropped. — Bree Burkitt, AZCentral.com, "A frantic call, a final standoff: 'Please don't hurt him. He just needs help'," 19 June 2019 The eight-month-old sea mammal, however, was found dead with plastic in her organs and bruises, potentially from an aggressive male trying to mate with her. — Catherine Kim, Vox, "Vox Sentences: Planned Parenthood loses funding," 20 Aug. 2019 Cover your stomach and chest with hard objects to shield your vital organs. — Abby Vesoulis / Lynchburg, Time, "‘I Wish We Could Stop Teaching This.’ What It’s Like to Attend an Active-Shooter Training After the El Paso and Dayton Attacks," 19 Aug. 2019 In the worst case during coronary artery disease, the whole artery can get clogged and no blood can flow to your organs anymore. — Svenja Lohner, Scientific American, "Build a Blood-Flow Model," 15 Aug. 2019 Bleedr is the only period-tracking app that automatically synchs to your reproductive organs. — Sarah Hutto, The New Yorker, "Your Period-Tracking App: F.A.Q.," 13 Aug. 2019 Three years on, his body still aches sometimes from the nerve damage caused by the bullet that struck the base of his spine then shot upward and ravaged his organs. — Mary Schmich, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Three years after Tavon Tanner was shot, he and his twin sister find quiet among peaceful streets," 9 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'organ.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of organ

Noun

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

History and Etymology for organ

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

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More Definitions for organ

organ

noun
How to pronounce organ- (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of organ

: a part of the body (such as the heart or liver) that has a particular function
—used as a polite way of saying penis
: a musical instrument that has a keyboard and pipes of different lengths and that makes sound by pushing air through the pipes

See the full definition for organ in the English Language Learners Dictionary

organ

noun
or·​gan | \ ˈȯr-gÉ™n How to pronounce organ (audio) \

Kids Definition of organ

1 : a musical instrument played by means of one or more keyboards and having pipes sounded by compressed air
2 : a part of a person, plant, or animal that is specialized to perform a particular function The eye is an organ of sight.
3 : a way of getting something done Courts are organs of government.

organ

noun
or·​gan | \ ˈȯr-gÉ™n How to pronounce organ (audio) \

Medical Definition of organ

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

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