noun
organ
OR-guhn/ˈɔːrɡən/
A specialized part of a living thing that performs a particular function.
The heart is an organ that pumps blood throughout the body.
Etymology
Greek organon named a tool or implement and also a bodily organ. The connection is functional: a body part is an instrument that carries out a particular task.
In context
The human stomach is a vital organ in the digestive system, responsible for the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food.
More examples
- A leaf is a plant organ that uses sunlight to make food.
- The surgeon checks the donor organ before the transplant.
- Several organs work together to digest the food we eat.
Forms
organ · organs
Similar words
- body part
- Broader term that includes structures without a specialized function.