organ

[awr-guhn]

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.

3. a barrel organ or hand organ.

4. 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.

5. penis

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

   Synonyms: channel, instrument, journal, publication

7. an instrument or means, as of action or performance.

   This committee will be the chief organ of administration.

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

organ

/ ˈɔːɡən /

noun

1. 1. 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

   2. ( as modifier )

      organ pipe

      organ stop

      organ loft

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

3. short for electric organ electronic organ

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

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

6. an instrument with which something is done or accomplished

7. a euphemistic word for penis

organ

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.

organ

1. 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.

The brain, liver, and skin are organs.

Other Word Forms

• interorgan adjective
• multiorgan adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of organ¹

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 érgon work

Word History and Origins

Origin of organ¹

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

Example Sentences

She had eaten at a food truck that served pig organs the day before her test, which can trigger positives.

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“The liver is a very stoic organ; you can go for many years and not feel severely ill, even though your liver is being slowly damaged,” says Ward.

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His teacher guided him to imagine the movement of his organs, blood and inner body.

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They were looking at “scurfy” mice; males are unexpectedly born with flaky skin and enlarged spleens and only live for a few weeks, because their organs are attacked by their own immune cells.

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Ms Chaervey explained Harry had two liver transplants when he was just 16 and 18 weeks old, but both failed, leading to organ failure and brain damage before he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• agency 
• forum 
• instrument 
• member 
• ministry 
• mouthpiece 
• structure 
• unit