Pronunciation

/ˈɔːɡən/

Definitions

• Noun (n): A part of the body that has a specific function, usually consisting of multiple tissues working together. For example: “The heart is a vital organ in the circulatory system.”

  • An instrument, typically with pipes, played by means of compressed air, such as in a church or theatre. For example: “The organist performed a moving piece on the grand organ.”
  • A structure or part of a plant or animal that performs a particular function. For example: “The roots of the plant act as organs for absorbing nutrients from the soil.”

• Verb (v): To arrange systematically; to organize. Less commonly used. For example: “She was tasked with organing the files chronologically.”

Phrases

• “Organ transplant” refers to the surgical transfer of an organ from one person (the donor) to another (the recipient).
• “Organ music” refers to music written specifically for performance on pipe organs or similar instruments.
• “Organize” means to arrange elements into a structured whole, although it’s derived from the same root but often not considered a direct usage of the word “organ”.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The human brain is the most complex organ in the body.”
• Verb: “Before the concert, he spent hours organing his sheet music according to the order of performance.”

Synonyms

• Body part
• Tissue
• Organism (in the context of a functioning part of a larger whole)
• Instrument (when referring to the musical instrument)
• Coordinator (for the verb sense of organizing)

Note: The verb form “organ” meaning ‘to organize’ is less common than its homophone “organize”.