An organ is a part of your body that has a particular purpose or function, for example your heart or lungs.
...damage to the muscles and internal organs.
...the reproductive organs.
...organ transplants.
Synonyms: body part, part of the body, member, element More Synonyms of organ
2. See also sense organ
3. countable noun
An organ is a large musical instrument with pipes of different lengths through which air is forced. It has keys and pedals rather like a piano.
4. See also barrel organ, mouth organ
5. countable noun
You refer to a newspaper or organization as theorganof the government or another group when it is used by them as a means of giving information or getting things done.
The Security Service is an important organ of the State. [+ of]
More Synonyms of organ
organ in British English
(ˈɔːɡən)
noun
1.
a. 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 manual and one pedal keyboard and have the greatest range of any instrument
b.
(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 (sense 1a), 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
Word origin
C13: from Old French organe, from Latin organum implement, from Greek organon tool; compare Greek ergein to work
organ in American English
(ˈɔrgən)
noun
1.
a.
a large wind instrument consisting of various sets of pipes which, as they are opened by corresponding keys on one or more keyboards, allow passage to a column of compressed air that causes sound by vibration
b.
any of several musical instruments producing similar or somewhat similar sounds
see also electronic organ, reed organ, barrel organ
c. Archaic
any musical instrument; esp., a wind instrument
2.
in animals and plants, a part composed of specialized tissues and adapted to the performance of a specific function or functions
3.
a means or instrument for the performance of some action
an organ of local government
4.
a means of communicating ideas or opinions, as a periodical
Word origin
ME organe < OE organa & OFr organe, both < L organum, tool, implement (in LL(Ec), a church organ) < Gr organon, an implement, engine < ergon, work
A further 40 per cent would take an organ from an animal, if needed.
The Sun (2016)
The sound of an organ tumbles and rolls.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Those vessels that carry blood from other organs towards the heart are called veins.
Petch, Dr Michael BMA Family Doctor Guide - Heart Disease (1989)
And patients with genetically similar tumours in different organs may benefit from the same drug.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We do not know if his body organs were removed from him.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The movements of this glistening organ were complex.
Benjamin Woolley THE HERBALIST: Nicholas Culpeper Rebel Physician (2004)
The first stage of the method involves genetically knocking out an organ in the animal embryo.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They have two brains and two spines but share a heart and other organs.
The Sun (2011)
They exist within all the organs of the body.
Hopkins, Tom The Guide to Greatness in Sales (1994)
She has had a series of scans to check for internal bleeding and possible organ damage.
The Sun (2011)
The human mind is a wonderfully complex organ.
Christianity Today (2000)
He was noteworthy because he loved to cook animal organs.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It is a different organ from any other organ of management and has to have a different design.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
Any remnants of an independent press would slowly but surely be converted into just another organ of the government.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is also responsible for damaging other organs including the kidneys, eyes and brain.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
THE liver is your largest internal organ.
The Sun (2012)
When patients suffer from liver disease, the organ and kidneys stop working properly and excess fluid builds up in the abdomen.
The Sun (2014)
The ruling this week from the Government 's organ donation task force has underlined the importance of patient consent in medicine.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Word lists with
organ
instrument
In other languages
organ
British English: organ /ˈɔːɡən/ NOUN
musical instrument An organ is a large musical instrument with pipes of different lengths through which air is forced. It has keys and pedals rather like a piano, and is often found in a church.
American English: organ music
Arabic: آلَةُ الأرْغُن الـمُوسِيقِيَةُ
Brazilian Portuguese: órgão música
Chinese: 风琴
Croatian: orgulje
Czech: varhany
Danish: orgel
Dutch: orgel
European Spanish: órgano anatomía
Finnish: urut
French: orgue
German: Orgel
Greek: όργανο μουσική
Italian: organo
Japanese: オルガン
Korean: 오르간
Norwegian: orgel
Polish: organy muzyka
European Portuguese: órgão música
Romanian: orgă
Russian: орган инструмент
Latin American Spanish: órgano instrumento musical
Swedish: orgel
Thai: หีบเพลง ออร์แกน
Turkish: org
Ukrainian: оргáн
Vietnamese: đàn organ
British English: organ /ˈɔːɡən/ NOUN
part of the body An organ is a part of your body that has a particular purpose, for example your heart or your lungs.
...the liver and other organs.
American English: organ body part
Arabic: عُضُوٌّ فِي الْـجَسَدِ
Brazilian Portuguese: órgão corpo
Chinese: 器官
Croatian: organ
Czech: orgán
Danish: organ
Dutch: orgaan lichaamsdeel
European Spanish: órgano instrumento
Finnish: elin
French: organe
German: Organ Koerper
Greek: όργανο μέρος του σώματος
Italian: organo
Japanese: 臓器
Korean: 기관 신체부분
Norwegian: organ
Polish: narząd
European Portuguese: órgão corpo
Romanian: organ
Russian: орган часть тела
Latin American Spanish: órgano parte del cuerpo
Swedish: organ
Thai: อวัยวะต่างๆ
Turkish: organ
Ukrainian: óрган
Vietnamese: cơ quan trong cơ thể
Chinese translation of 'organ'
organ
(ˈɔːɡən)
n(c)
(Anat) 器官 (qìguān) (个(個), gè)
(Mus) 管风(風)琴 (guǎnfēngqín) (架, jià)
1 (noun)
Definition
a part in animals and plants that is adapted to perform a particular function, for example the heart or lungs
damage to the muscles and internal organs
Synonyms
body part
part of the body
member
element
biological structure
2 (noun)
Definition
a means of communication, such as a newspaper issued by a specialist group or party
the People's Daily, the official organ of the Chinese Commmunist Party
Synonyms
newspaper
paper
The story is in all the papers.
medium
English is used as a medium of instruction at primary level.
voice
He claims to be the voice of the people.
agency (old-fashioned)
a negotiated settlement through the agency of the UN
channel
vehicle
Her art became a vehicle for her political beliefs.
journal
All our results are published in scientific journals.
publication
expensively produced glossy publications
rag (informal)
He works for the local rag.
gazette
the Arkansas Gazette
periodical
The walls were lined with books and periodicals.
mouthpiece
The newspaper is regarded as a mouthpiece of the ministry.
3 (noun)
Synonyms
instrument
a thin tube-like optical instrument
device
This device can measure minute quantities of matter.
tool
The best tool for the purpose is a pair of shears.
implement
writing implements
Additional synonyms
in the sense of agency
Definition
action or power by which something happens
a negotiated settlement through the agency of the UN
Synonyms
medium,
work,
means,
force,
power,
action,
operation,
activity,
influence,
vehicle,
instrument,
intervention,
mechanism,
efficiency,
mediation,
auspices,
intercession,
instrumentality
in the sense of device
Definition
a machine or tool used for a particular purpose
This device can measure minute quantities of matter.
Synonyms
gadget,
machine,
tool,
instrument,
implement,
invention,
appliance,
apparatus,
gimmick,
utensil,
contraption (informal),
widget (informal),
contrivance,
waldo,
gizmo or gismo (slang)
in the sense of gazette
Definition
an official newspaper that gives lists of announcements, for instance in legal or military affairs
the Arkansas Gazette
Synonyms
newspaper,
paper,
journal,
organ,
periodical,
news-sheet
Synonyms of 'organ'
organ
Explore 'organ' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of implement
Definition
a tool or other piece of equipment
writing implements
Synonyms
tool,
machine,
device,
instrument,
appliance,
apparatus,
gadget,
utensil,
contraption (informal),
contrivance,
agent
in the sense of journal
Definition
a newspaper or magazine
All our results are published in scientific journals.
Synonyms
magazine,
record,
review,
register,
publication,
bulletin,
chronicle,
gazette,
periodical,
zine (informal)
in the sense of medium
Definition
a substance which has a particular effect or can be used for a particular purpose
English is used as a medium of instruction at primary level.
Synonyms
means,
way,
form,
channel,
method,
vehicle,
instrument,
avenue,
forum,
organ,
mode
in the sense of member
Definition
any part of a plant or animal, such as a limb or petal
Synonyms
limb,
part,
arm,
leg,
element,
component,
organ,
portion,
constituent,
extremity,
appendage
in the sense of mouthpiece
Definition
a person or publication expressing the views of an organization
The newspaper is regarded as a mouthpiece of the ministry.
Synonyms
publication,
journal,
organ,
periodical
in the sense of paper
Definition
The story is in all the papers.
Synonyms
newspaper,
news,
daily,
journal,
organ,
rag (informal),
tabloid,
gazette,
broadsheet,
blat
in the sense of periodical
Definition
a publication issued at regular intervals, usually monthly or weekly
The walls were lined with books and periodicals.
Synonyms
publication,
paper,
review,
magazine,
journal,
weekly,
monthly,
organ,
serial,
quarterly,
zine (informal)
in the sense of publication
Definition
any printed work offered for sale
expensively produced glossy publications
Synonyms
pamphlet,
book,
newspaper,
magazine,
issue,
title,
leaflet,
brochure,
booklet,
paperback,
hardback,
periodical,
zine (informal),
handbill,
blog (informal)
in the sense of rag
Definition
a newspaper
He works for the local rag.
Synonyms
newspaper,
paper,
journal,
tabloid,
newsletter,
periodical,
broadsheet
in the sense of tool
Definition
an implement, such as a hammer, saw, or spade, that is used by hand to help do a particular type of work
The best tool for the purpose is a pair of shears.
Synonyms
implement,
device,
appliance,
apparatus,
machine,
instrument,
gadget,
utensil,
contraption (informal),
contrivance
Additional synonyms
in the sense of vehicle
Definition
something used to achieve a particular purpose or as a means of expression
Her art became a vehicle for her political beliefs.