organ

[ awr-guhn ]
See synonyms for: organorgans on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. Also called pipe organ. a musical instrument consisting of one or more sets of pipes sounded by means of compressed air, played by means of one or more keyboards, and capable of producing a wide range of musical effects.

  2. any of various similar instruments, as a reed organ or an electronic organ.

  1. Biology. a grouping of tissues into a distinct structure, as a heart or kidney in animals or a leaf or stamen in plants, that performs a specialized task.

  2. a newspaper, magazine, or other means of communicating information, thoughts, or opinions, especially in behalf of some organization, political group, or the like.

  3. an instrument or means, as of action or performance: This committee will be the chief organ of administration.

  4. Archaic. any of various musical instruments, especially wind, instruments.

Origin of organ

1
before 1000; Middle English: musical instrument, pipe organ, organ of the body, tool (<Medieval Latin, Latin organum mechanical device, instrument) <Greek órganon implement, tool, bodily organ, musical instrument, akin to érgonwork

Other words for organ

Other words from organ

  • in·ter·or·gan, adjective
  • mul·ti·or·gan, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use organ in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for organ

organ

/ (ˈɔːɡən) /


noun
    • Also called: pipe organ a large complex musical keyboard instrument in which sound is produced by means of a number of pipes arranged in sets or stops, supplied with air from a bellows. The largest instruments possess three or more manuals and one pedal keyboard and have the greatest range of any instrument

    • (as modifier): organ pipe; organ stop; organ loft

  1. any instrument, such as a harmonium, in which sound is produced in this way: See also reed organ, harmonica

  1. a fully differentiated structural and functional unit, such as a kidney or a root, in an animal or plant

  2. an agency or medium of communication, esp a periodical issued by a specialist group or party

  3. an instrument with which something is done or accomplished

  4. a euphemistic word for penis

Origin of organ

1
C13: from Old French organe, from Latin organum implement, from Greek organon tool; compare Greek ergein to work

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for organ

organ

[ ôrgən ]


  1. A distinct part of an organism that performs one or more specialized functions. Examples of organs are the eyes, ears, lungs, and heart of an animal, and the roots, stems, and leaves of a plant.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for organ

organ

Part of a living thing, distinct from the other parts, that is adapted for a specific function. Organs are made up of tissues and are grouped into systems, such as the digestive system.

Notes for organ

The brain, liver, and skin are organs.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.