organ
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for organ, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A part of the body, such as the heart or liver, that performs a specific function.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use organ
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin organum, from Greek órganon, meaning "a tool" or "instrument" — the same root gives us "organic" and "organize."
Full origin of organ →Frequently asked questions
What does “organ” mean?
The word “organ” means a part of the body, such as the heart or liver, that performs a specific function. In plain terms, a body part with a job to do, a large keyboard instrument, or the official mouthpiece of a group.
How do you pronounce “organ”?
“Organ” is pronounced AW-guhn (/ˈɔɹɡən/ in IPA).
How do you use “organ” in a sentence?
Here is “organ” used in a sentence: “The lungs are the organs responsible for breathing.”
What part of speech is “organ”?
“Organ” is a noun.
Where does the word “organ” come from?
The word “organ” comes from Latin. From Latin organum, from Greek órganon, meaning "a tool" or "instrument" — the same root gives us "organic" and "organize.".
Is “organ” a common word?
“Organ” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “organ” have?
“Organ” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a part of the body, such as the heart or liver, that performs a specific function.
What is the difference between an organ and a tissue in biology?
A tissue is a group of similar cells working together, while an organ is a body part, such as the heart or liver, made of different tissues that combine to perform a specific function. In short, tissues are the building blocks that form an organ.
What is the difference between a pipe organ and an electric organ?
Both are the large keyboard instrument called an organ, but a pipe organ produces sound by pushing air through pipes, while an electric or electronic organ generates sound electronically. The pipe version is traditional and often built into churches, whereas electronic organs are smaller and more portable.
Why is the word organ used for both a body part and a musical instrument?
Organ has two distinct meanings: a functional part of the body such as the heart or liver, and a large keyboard instrument that produces sound through pipes or electronically. Context makes the intended sense clear, since one relates to biology and the other to music.
What is the difference between an organ and an organ system?
An organ is a single body part, such as the heart or liver, that carries out a specific function. An organ system is a group of organs that work together, such as the digestive system, so the organ is one component within the larger system.