or·gan·ic
ȯr-ˈga-nik 
1
a(1)
: of, relating to, yielding, or involving the use of food produced with the use of feed or fertilizer of plant or animal origin without employment of chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides
organic farming
organic produce
(2)
: of, relating to, or derived from living organisms
organic evolution
b(1)
: relating to, being, or dealt with by a branch of chemistry concerned with the carbon compounds of living beings and most other carbon compounds
studied organic chemistry in college
(2)
: of, relating to, or containing carbon compounds
organic solvents
2
a
: having systematic coordination of parts : organized
an organic whole
b
: forming an integral element of a whole : fundamental
incidental music rather than organic parts of the action—
Francis Fergusson
Francis Fergusson
c
: having the characteristics of an organism : developing in the manner of a living plant or animal
society is organic
many new coinages … stem from the normal organic structure of the language—William Chomsky
William Chomsky3
4
: of, relating to, or constituting the law by which a government or organization exists
their nation has written the separation of church and state into its organic law—Paul Blanshard
Paul Blanshard5
archaic
: instrumental
: an organic substance: such as
a
: a fertilizer of plant or animal origin
b
: a pesticide whose active component is an organic compound or a mixture of organic compounds
c
: a food produced by organic farming
Examples of organic in a Sentence
Adjective
He thinks of the city not as a collection of different neighborhoods but as an organic whole.
This neighborhood is an organic part of the city.
Recent Examples on the WebChristine Chitnis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2024
Say, for instance, a coconut bacon maker wants to sell at Erewhon, but the vegan snack is dusted with sugar that isn’t organic — an automatic rejection.
—Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2024
Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024
The fact that distinct organic chemicals are consistently associated with different salts suggests that there were either several distinct ways of synthesizing the organics or that they were deposited and preserved under distinct conditions.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 12 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for organic 
Adjective
The tours include visits to organic farms, lunches, tastings, and opportunities to participate in cheese-making and saffron harvesting.
—Christine Chitnis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2024
Say, for instance, a coconut bacon maker wants to sell at Erewhon, but the vegan snack is dusted with sugar that isn’t organic — an automatic rejection.
—Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2024
Noun
Bobbie is certified not only as USDA organic but also as European Union (EU) organic, which is a more stringent and comprehensive certification.
—Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024
The fact that distinct organic chemicals are consistently associated with different salts suggests that there were either several distinct ways of synthesizing the organics or that they were deposited and preserved under distinct conditions.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 12 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for organic
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'organic.' 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 organic
Cite this Entry
“Organic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/organic. Accessed 7 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
organic
1 of 2 adjective
or·gan·ic
ȯr-ˈgan-ik
1
a
: of, relating to, or arising in a bodily organ
b
: affecting the structure of the organism
an organic disease
compare functional sense 1b
2
a(1)
: of, relating to, or derived from living organisms
(2)
: relating to, yielding, dealing in, or involving the use of food produced with the use of feed or fertilizer of plant or animal origin without employment of chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides
organic stores
b(1)
: of, relating to, or containing carbon compounds
(2)
: relating to, being, or dealt with by a branch of chemistry concerned with the carbon compounds of living beings and most other carbon compounds
organic
2 of 2 noun
: an organic substance: as
a
: a fertilizer of plant or animal origin
b
: a pesticide whose active component is an organic compound or a mixture of organic compounds
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