Organ
/ˈɔːrɡən/
Definitions
3 meaningsA self-contained and functioning part of a plant or animal.
/ˈɔːrɡən/
A part of the body that performs a specific function.
The doctor examined the patient's vital organs.
💡 Simply: An organ is like a special part inside your body, like your stomach or your brain, that does a particular job to help you work. It's like each part has its own special task, kinda like different tools in a toolbox!
👶 For kids: A part of your body, like your heart or brain, that helps you do things.
More Examples
The liver is an important organ for detoxifying the body.
Organ transplants have saved many lives.
How It's Used
"The heart is a vital organ."
"Organ donation can save lives."
A musical instrument consisting of pipes and operated by a keyboard.
/ˈɔːrɡən/
A musical instrument.
The church organist played a beautiful hymn.
💡 Simply: An organ is a big musical instrument that you play with keys, and it makes a very grand sound, like you might hear in a church or a concert. It's like a big piano with lots of pipes!
👶 For kids: A big musical instrument that makes sounds with keys and pipes.
More Examples
The organ's powerful sound resonated throughout the hall.
Many churches have a pipe organ.
How It's Used
"The pipe organ filled the cathedral with sound."
"The organ is often featured in church music."
A body or agency that performs a specific function.
/ˈɔːrɡən/
An organized body of people.
The World Health Organization is an important international organ.
💡 Simply: An organ can also be a group of people or a company that does something. It's kinda like the different parts of a body that work together but instead it is people working together to do a job!
👶 For kids: A group of people or a company that does something.
More Examples
The newspaper serves as the organ of the political party.
The university has several research organs.
How It's Used
"The United Nations is an international organ."
"The newspaper is the organ of the party."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
organ grinder
A street musician who plays a hand-cranked barrel organ, often with a monkey.
"We saw an organ grinder playing on the street corner."
From Latin *organum*, from Greek *órganon* (tool, instrument).
The word 'organ' has been used to refer to both musical instruments and bodily parts since the 14th century. Its usage has evolved to also denote organized bodies.
Memory tip
Think of the heart, lungs, and liver – they are all essential organs.
Word Origin
"tool, instrument"