orphanage

noun

or·phan·age ˈȯr-fə-nij

ˈȯrf-nij

: the state of being an orphan

: an institution for the care of orphans

Examples of orphanage in a Sentence

After the death of his parents, he was raised in an orphanage.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Jean also said at least a dozen children underwent medical examinations and that Osbeck lacked the documentation required to operate an orphanage. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 My mom was raised in an orphanage, so her kids were pretty much everything. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026 In the early years of the campaign following 2001, the money raised went to an orphanage in Denver. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 11 Sep. 2026 She’s faced with the threat of being kicked out of her orphanage and must suddenly embrace her identity and confront the reality of making it through life on her own. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for orphanage

Word History

Etymology

orphan entry 1 + -age, after Middle French orphelinage

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of orphanage was in 1579

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

orphan's court

orphanage

orphancy

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Orphanage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orphanage. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

orphanage

noun

or·phan·age ˈȯrf-(ə-)nij

: an institution for the care of orphans

orphanage

noun

Examples of orphanage in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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