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

Example Sentences

"The pain is excruciating, at its worst it's like barbed wire inside me and clinging to my organs. I am so ill I can often spend days in bed," Maguire said.

From BBC

To overcome these challenges, scientists have turned to organoids, which are three dimensional structures grown from stem cells that resemble real organs.

From Science Daily

Everyday movements such as walking, reaching, or maintaining balance rely on tight coordination between muscles, sensory organs, and multiple brain regions.

From Science Daily

Her grandfather was a deacon and mother played an organ in the Presbyterian chapel.

From BBC

These aren’t organs that have been donated for transplant surgeries—a tightly regulated market.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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