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
There is one aeolid that looks like a psychedelic hedgehog, and several that wouldn’t be out of place at the tip of an orchid stem.
—
Helen Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
Over the decades, working with an art director, the owner planted numerous mahogany and buttonwood trees, as well as the hundreds and hundreds of orchids that give Orchid Cove its name.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024
But the tablescapes are not your average napkin ring and goblet settings; towering and cascading arrangements of orchids and more punctuated the room.
—Vogue, 26 Feb. 2024
One hurdle is that producing vanilla, an orchid that grows on a vine, requires intense labor.
—Leila Miller, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2024
There were suddenly flowers—big, blooming lilies, purple orchids, lavender tulips.
—Leslie Jamison, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024
There were tables bursting with orchids, an installation of TVs showcasing Versace campaigns and runway shows on a loop, waiters with silver trays of shrimp cocktails in silver coupes, and champagne glasses offered to guests at every turn.
—Rachel Besser, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024
Unlike other traditional orchids, the Jewel Orchid (Ludisia discolor ‘Red Velvet’), is an easy-to-care-for, low-light-loving plant with stunning terracotta-esque vining on the velvety leaves.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024
The limited-edition selection features a variety of 15 green plants and colorful orchids.
—Hannah Chubb, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024
Helen Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
Over the decades, working with an art director, the owner planted numerous mahogany and buttonwood trees, as well as the hundreds and hundreds of orchids that give Orchid Cove its name.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024
But the tablescapes are not your average napkin ring and goblet settings; towering and cascading arrangements of orchids and more punctuated the room.
—Vogue, 26 Feb. 2024
One hurdle is that producing vanilla, an orchid that grows on a vine, requires intense labor.
—Leila Miller, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2024
There were suddenly flowers—big, blooming lilies, purple orchids, lavender tulips.
—Leslie Jamison, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024
There were tables bursting with orchids, an installation of TVs showcasing Versace campaigns and runway shows on a loop, waiters with silver trays of shrimp cocktails in silver coupes, and champagne glasses offered to guests at every turn.
—Rachel Besser, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024
Unlike other traditional orchids, the Jewel Orchid (Ludisia discolor ‘Red Velvet’), is an easy-to-care-for, low-light-loving plant with stunning terracotta-esque vining on the velvety leaves.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024
The limited-edition selection features a variety of 15 green plants and colorful orchids.
—Hannah Chubb, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'orchid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near orchid
Cite this Entry
“Orchid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orchid. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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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