Orphanage: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ 
Add to dictionary

orphanage

 

[ หˆษ”r.fษ™n.ษชdส’ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

place for children

An orphanage is a residential institution designed to care for children without parents or guardians. These establishments provide shelter, food, education, and care for children who have lost their families due to various circumstances such as death, abandonment, or severe parental incapacity. Historically, orphanages were commonly found in many cultures, serving as a solution for child welfare, especially before the establishment of modern foster care systems. Today, some orphanages continue to exist, often focusing on supporting orphans with love and education, preparing them for a transition into society.

Synonyms

asylum, childcare home, children's home.

Examples of usage

  • She grew up in an orphanage after her parents passed away.
  • The orphanage organized a charity event to raise funds.
  • He visited the local orphanage to volunteer and support the children.
  • Many children dream of finding a loving home instead of living in an orphanage.

Translations

Translations of the word "orphanage" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น orfanato

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคจเคพเคฅเคพเคฒเคฏ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Waisenhaus

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ panti asuhan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะธั€ะพั‚ะธะฝะตั†ัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ dom dziecka

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅญคๅ…้™ข

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท orphelinat

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ orfanato

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท yetimhanะต

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ณ ์•„์›

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฏุงุฑ ุงู„ุฃูŠุชุงู…

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sirotฤinec

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ sirotinec

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅญคๅ„ฟ้™ข

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ sirotiลกnica

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ mรณรฐirleysingjahรบs

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถะตั‚ั–ะผะดะตั€ าฏะนั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ‘แƒแƒ•แƒจแƒ•แƒ—แƒ แƒ—แƒแƒ•แƒจแƒ”แƒกแƒแƒคแƒแƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ yetimxana

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ orfanato

Etymology

The term 'orphanage' originates from the Late Latin word 'orphanus', which means 'orphan', itself derived from the Greek 'orphanos', conveying a sense of being bereaved of parents. The concept of caring for orphaned children dates back to ancient civilizations, where public and private institutions were established to house and support these vulnerable individuals. The first recorded use of the term in English dates back to the 14th century, reflecting a growing awareness of the plight of children lacking parental care. Initially, orphanages were often connected to religious organizations, operating on charitable foundations to provide for those in need. Over the centuries, the approach to caring for orphans evolved, leading to the establishment of more structured forms of child welfare, including foster care systems and adoption processes as society recognized the importance of familial relationships for children's development.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,001, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.