orphanage

[awr-fuh-nij]

noun

1. an institution for the housing and care of orphans.

2. the state of being an orphan; orphanhood.

3. Archaic.,  orphans collectively.

orphanage

/ ˈɔːfənɪdʒ /

noun

1. an institution for orphans and abandoned children

2. the state of being an orphan

Word History and Origins

Origin of orphanage¹

First recorded in 1530–40; orphan + -age

Example Sentences

Braekhus was adopted from an orphanage in Cartagena at the age of two and grew up in Sandviken, a neighbourhood of Bergen.

From BBC

It has also been found in wild elephant herds and in some sanctuaries and elephant orphanages.

From BBC

Instead of re-homing the children with their relatives, the youngsters were held in orphanages and used as political pawns.

From BBC

Once that is resolved, they said they planned to deliver the aid with charity Justin Ukraine Aid to orphanages in Kharkiv, Odessa and Vinnytsia, before arriving back in the UK by mid-September.

From BBC

The family of an Irish woman kidnapped from an orphanage in Haiti has said they are "absolutely devastated" and described the situation as "deeply worrying".

From BBC

Related Words

• apartment 
• cabin 
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• condominium 
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• house 
• hut 
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• shelter 
• trailer