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 WebCaron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024
This sweet number is constructed from a soft, breathable organic cotton.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
Nestle confirmed its outlook for organic sales growth of around 4% and a moderate increase in the underlying trading operating profit margin this year.
—Dasha Afanasieva, Fortune Europe, 25 Apr. 2024
Emissions like volatile organic compounds worsen respiratory illnesses and a myriad of health impacts for people living in the shadow of these facilities.
—Gina McCarthy, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024
Incorporating composts or other bulk organic materials also helps to break up heavy clay soils.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 19 Apr. 2024
Health officials have received reports of salmonella infections in seven states linked to Infinite Herbs organic basil sold at Trader Joe's stores in 29 states, including Michigan.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 19 Apr. 2024
Christian’s strawberries, zucchini, summer squash and peas were obliterated by a landscaper who stuck his spray nozzle within 17 inches of her organic garden.
—Scott Schwebke, Orange County Register, 19 Apr. 2024
This is because the United States Department of Agriculture only allows pesticides that are approved by the National Organic Program to be used on organic produce, said Roberts.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 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
As the only boutique organic wasabi farm that doubles as an agri-tourism experience, Wasabi Village offers a unique journey from field to feast.
—Jonny Bierman, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2024
Szekely’s mother was vice president of the New York Vegetarian Society and fed the family a diet of raw foods, years before terms like farm-to-table and organic were commonplace.
—People Staff, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024
Trees should be cut in half and placed in the organics cart with the lid closed, or can be set curbside next to the organics cart.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Dec. 2023
Few artists blend the organic with the electronic as seamlessly and thoughtfully as Roberto Carlos Lange, known by his stage name Helado Negro.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 14 Feb. 2024
The company is also developing a system that processes residents’ black water—which includes human waste and food organics from kitchen sinks and dishwashers—into a soil amendment.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 12 Feb. 2024
Ramsey County launched an organics waste pilot project last April, enrolling some 500 households in Newport, Cottage Grove, Maplewood and North St. Paul.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Create soothing bedrooms, turning them into peaceful retreats by selecting natural, breathable materials for bedding and upholstery — like organic cotton or linen.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024
This sweet number is constructed from a soft, breathable organic cotton.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
Nestle confirmed its outlook for organic sales growth of around 4% and a moderate increase in the underlying trading operating profit margin this year.
—Dasha Afanasieva, Fortune Europe, 25 Apr. 2024
Emissions like volatile organic compounds worsen respiratory illnesses and a myriad of health impacts for people living in the shadow of these facilities.
—Gina McCarthy, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024
Incorporating composts or other bulk organic materials also helps to break up heavy clay soils.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 19 Apr. 2024
Health officials have received reports of salmonella infections in seven states linked to Infinite Herbs organic basil sold at Trader Joe's stores in 29 states, including Michigan.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 19 Apr. 2024
Christian’s strawberries, zucchini, summer squash and peas were obliterated by a landscaper who stuck his spray nozzle within 17 inches of her organic garden.
—Scott Schwebke, Orange County Register, 19 Apr. 2024
This is because the United States Department of Agriculture only allows pesticides that are approved by the National Organic Program to be used on organic produce, said Roberts.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 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
As the only boutique organic wasabi farm that doubles as an agri-tourism experience, Wasabi Village offers a unique journey from field to feast.
—Jonny Bierman, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2024
Szekely’s mother was vice president of the New York Vegetarian Society and fed the family a diet of raw foods, years before terms like farm-to-table and organic were commonplace.
—People Staff, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024
Trees should be cut in half and placed in the organics cart with the lid closed, or can be set curbside next to the organics cart.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Dec. 2023
Few artists blend the organic with the electronic as seamlessly and thoughtfully as Roberto Carlos Lange, known by his stage name Helado Negro.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 14 Feb. 2024
The company is also developing a system that processes residents’ black water—which includes human waste and food organics from kitchen sinks and dishwashers—into a soil amendment.
—Matt Simon, WIRED, 12 Feb. 2024
Ramsey County launched an organics waste pilot project last April, enrolling some 500 households in Newport, Cottage Grove, Maplewood and North St. Paul.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2024
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 2 May. 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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