noun

organ

/ˈɔːrɡən/ · say it: OR·gun

a structure of tissues performing a specific function

In Science & Nature

In more detail

1. (noun) a part of a living thing that has a particular function, such as the heart, lungs, or liver

2. (noun) a large musical instrument with a keyboard, with pipes that produce sound when air passes through them

3. (noun) a newspaper or magazine, especially one that represents the views of a political party or organization

Examples

The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body.
She played a beautiful piece on the church organ.
The party's official organ published the new policy statement.

How to use organ

Organ has three distinct meanings that rarely overlap in context. The biological sense (heart, lungs) is most common in medical and everyday conversation. The musical sense refers to a large keyboard instrument with pipes, less common in modern contexts. The media sense (as in 'the party organ') is formal and somewhat dated, primarily used in political or institutional discourse.

Common phrases

vital organ
organ transplant
internal organs
organ donation
pipe organ
organ music

Synonyms

instrument · mechanism · publication · medium

Word family

organic · organism · organelle · organize · organization

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse organ (a biological structure or musical instrument) with organize (to arrange or structure something), despite their related etymology.

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