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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.


organ British  
/ ˈɔːɡən /

noun

    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

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

  2. short for electric organ electronic organ

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

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

  5. an instrument with which something is done or accomplished

  6. a euphemistic word for penis

"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

organ Scientific  
/ 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.


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.


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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At 27, she was finally diagnosed with deep infiltrating endometriosis affecting all her pelvic organs.

From BBC

One of the most striking findings was that many age-related shifts happen in sync across multiple organs.

From Science Daily

It has been used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, but can cause debilitating harm to some women.

From BBC

One may have organs and systems that resemble those of a younger person, while the other may show signs of accelerated aging.

From Science Daily

Previous research has detected microplastics in nearly every organ, as well as in bodily fluids and even the placenta.

From Science Daily