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orphanage

American  
[awr-fuh-nij] / ˈɔr fə nɪdʒ /

noun

  1. an institution for the housing and care of orphans.

  2. the state of being an orphan; orphanhood.

  3. Archaic. orphans collectively.

orphanage British  
/ ˈɔːfənɪdʒ /

noun

  1. an institution for orphans and abandoned children

  2. the state of being an orphan

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of orphanage

First recorded in 1530–40; orphan + -age

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Back in George Allan's organ orphanage, there is hope something might be done.

From BBC

Russia insists it has moved some Ukrainian children from their homes or orphanages to protect them from hostilities.

From Barron's

I was to go to an orphanage in the middle of the city, opposite the theatre.

From Literature

Leading me to believe that a little blond-haired baby girl would have mysteriously ended up on the doorstep of an orphanage somewhere.

From Literature

While their foster homes and orphanages and schools always changed, Danny could count on two things: his sister and their book.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.