Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Nearby Entries
organs - 3 dictionary results

or⋅gan

  [awr-guhn]
Use organs in a Sentence
–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, esp. in behalf of some organization, political group, or the like.
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, esp. wind, instruments.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME: musical instrument, pipe organ, organ of the body, tool (< ML, L organum mechanical device, instrument) < Gk órganon implement, tool, bodily organ, musical instrument, akin to érgon work

Synonyms:
6. publication, journal, instrument, channel.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To organs
or·gan   (ôr'gən)   
n.  
  1. Music
    1. An instrument consisting of a number of pipes that sound tones when supplied with air and a keyboard that operates a mechanism controlling the flow of air to the pipes. Also called pipe organ.
    2. Any one of various other instruments, such as the electronic organ, that resemble a pipe organ either in mechanism or sound.
  2. Biology A differentiated part of an organism, such as an eye, wing, or leaf, that performs a specific function.
  3. An instrument or agency dedicated to the performance of specified functions: The FBI is an organ of the Justice Department.
  4. An instrument or a means of communication, especially a periodical issued by a political party, business firm, or other group.

[Middle English, from Old French organe and from Old English organe, both from Latin organum, tool, instrument, from Greek organon; see werg- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
organ   (ôr'gən)  Pronunciation Key 
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see organs on Thesaurus | Reference