- 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 (as modifier): organ pipe, organ stop, organ loft any instrument, such as a harmonium, in which sound is produced in this way
See also reed organ, harmonica- short for
electric organ 1a a fully differentiated structural and functional unit, such as a kidney or a root, in an animal or plant an agency or medium of communication, esp a periodical issued by a specialist group or party an instrument with which something is done or accomplished - a euphemistic word for penis
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
or•gan /ˈɔrgən/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Music and Dance
- Also called pipe organ. a musical instrument having one or more sets of pipes, played by a keyboard that controls compressed air which sounds the pipes.
- a similar musical instrument having the tones produced electronically:an electronic organ.
- Anatomy, Biologya grouping of tissues into a distinct structure that performs a special task, as a heart or kidney in animals or a leaf or stamen in plants.
- a newspaper, magazine, or other means of communicating information esp. in behalf of some organization.
- an instrument or means, as of action:the organs of government.
or•gan
(ôr′gən),USA pronunciation n.
- Music and DanceAlso 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.
- Music and Danceany of various similar instruments, as a reed organ or an electronic organ.
- Music and Dancea barrel organ or hand organ.
- Anatomy, Biology[Biol.]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.
- Anatomypenis
- a newspaper, magazine, or other means of communicating information, thoughts, or opinions, esp. in behalf of some organization, political group, or the like.
- an instrument or means, as of action or performance: This committee will be the chief organ of administration.
- Archaic. any of various musical instruments, esp. wind, instruments.
- Greek órganon implement, tool, bodily organ, musical instrument, akin to érgon work
- Medieval Latin, Latin organum mechanical device, instrument)
- Middle English: musical instrument, pipe organ, organ of the body, tool (bef. 1000
- 6.See corresponding entry in Unabridged . publication, journal, instrument, channel.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'organ of taste' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):