organ

American  

[awr-guhn] / ˈɔr gən /

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.

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organ British  

/ 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

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organ Scientific  

/ ôr′gən /

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.

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organ Cultural  

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.

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Discover More

The brain, liver, and skin are organs.

Other Word Forms

• interorgan
  adjective
• multiorgan
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of organ

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

Explanation

An organ is a part of your body that performs a specific function: like your brain, lungs, or skin. You might not use the word organ often, but you use organs every second; imagine getting through a day without your heart, lungs, or brain. Some people choose to be organ donors — meaning that, after their deaths, they donate their organs to people in need of organ transplants. An organ may also serve a specific function for an institution: a periodical like a newsletter can be an organ of an organization. An organ is also the wind instrument — sometimes called a pipe organ — often played in church.

Example Sentences

This allows researchers to examine how diseases affect multiple organ systems at the same time in intact mice.

From Science Daily • May 23, 2026

Although the EPA has classified the chemical as “not likely” carcinogenic to humans, long-term exposure has been linked to serious organ damage.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

As the disease progresses, vomiting and diarrhoea develop and it can lead to organ failure.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

One of Mr. Feiler’s most compelling arguments about rituals is that they are unnecessary—we do not need them to donate an organ, to end a life or start another one.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

The organ music plays on, like a funeral that will not quit.

From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

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