Illustration of orchid
- orchid 1
1
: any of a large family (Orchidaceae, the orchid family) of perennial epiphytic or terrestrial monocotyledonous plants that usually have showy 3-petaled flowers with the middle petal enlarged into a lip and differing from the others in shape and color
2
: a light purple
Examples of orchid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Inside the greenhouses, vibrant and rare orchids bloom in perfectly humid conditions (including a rare green orchid).
—
Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
Pei recently wrote a guide on the topic, recommending that couples include tea ceremonies and Chinese lion dances, and to weave in cultural symbols into the decor — such as using peonies, lotuses and cherry blossoms with orchids or roses into floral centerpieces.
—CNN Money, 9 July 2025
Over 30,000 shoppers have picked up the mini orchid building set in the past month alone, and it’s already amassed a near-perfect overall rating.
—Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 24 May 2025
Of Bellevue itself, however, where Edmond pollinated that first vanilla orchid, nothing remains, the property largely reclaimed by the forest.
—Jay Cheshes, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025
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Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
Pei recently wrote a guide on the topic, recommending that couples include tea ceremonies and Chinese lion dances, and to weave in cultural symbols into the decor — such as using peonies, lotuses and cherry blossoms with orchids or roses into floral centerpieces.
—CNN Money, 9 July 2025
Over 30,000 shoppers have picked up the mini orchid building set in the past month alone, and it’s already amassed a near-perfect overall rating.
—Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 24 May 2025
Of Bellevue itself, however, where Edmond pollinated that first vanilla orchid, nothing remains, the property largely reclaimed by the forest.
—Jay Cheshes, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for orchid
Cite this Entry
“Orchid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orchid. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
orchid
noun
or·chid
ˈȯr-kəd 
1
: any plant or flower of a large family of plants that have usually showy flowers with three petals of which the middle petal is enlarged and differs from the others in shape and color
2
: a light purple
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