Organ vs. Gland — What's the Difference?

A part of an organism which is typically self-contained and has a specific vital function

A gland is a group of cells in an animal's body that synthesizes substances (such as hormones) for release into the bloodstream (endocrine gland) or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface (exocrine gland).

A large musical instrument having rows of pipes supplied with air from bellows (now usually electrically powered), and played using a keyboard or by an automatic mechanism. The pipes are generally arranged in ranks of a particular type, each controlled by a stop, and often into larger sets linked to separate keyboards.

Any of various organs or cell groups, such as the adrenal glands and the salivary glands, that are of endothelial origin and secrete a substance that is used or excreted by the body.

A department or organization that performs a specified function

Any of various organs, such as lymph nodes, that resemble true glands but perform a nonsecretory function.

An instrument consisting of a number of pipes that sound tones when supplied with air and a keyboard that operates a mechanism controlling the flow of air to the pipes. Also called pipe organ.

(Botany) An organ or a structure that secretes a substance.

Any one of various other instruments, such as the electronic organ, that resemble a pipe organ either in mechanism or sound.

A device, such as the outer sleeve of a stuffing box, designed to prevent a fluid from leaking past a moving machine part.

(Biology) A differentiated part of an organism, such as an eye, wing, or leaf, that performs a specific function.

(zoology) A specialized cell, group of cells, or organ of endothelial origin in the human or animal body that synthesizes a chemical substance, such as hormones or breast milk, and releases it, often into the bloodstream (endocrine gland) or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface (exocrine gland).

An instrument or agency dedicated to the performance of specified functions

(anatomy) A structure resembling a gland, especially a lymph node.

An instrument or means of communication, especially a periodical issued by a political party, business firm, or other group.

(botany) A secretory structure on the surface of an organ.

The larger part of an organism, composed of tissues that perform similar functions.

(mechanics) A compressable cylindrical case and its contents around a shaft where it passes through a barrier, intended to prevent the passage of a fluid past the barrier, used for example around a ship’s propeller shaft or around a tap, valve or faucet.

(by extension) A body of an organization dedicated to the performing of certain functions.

An organ for secreting something to be used in, or eliminated from, the body; as, the sebaceous glands of the skin; the salivary glands of the mouth.

(musical instruments) A musical instrument that has multiple pipes which play when a key is pressed (the pipe organ), or an electronic instrument designed to replicate such.

A special organ of plants, usually minute and globular, which often secretes some kind of resinous, gummy, or aromatic product.

An official magazine, newsletter, or similar publication of an organization.

The movable part of a stuffing box by which the packing is compressed; - sometimes called a follower. See Illust. of Stuffing box, under Stuffing.

A government organization; agency; authority.

The crosspiece of a bayonet clutch.

(slang) The penis.

Any of various organs that synthesize substances needed by the body and release it through ducts or directly into the bloodstream

An Asian form of mitrailleuse.

To supply with an organ or organs; to fit with organs.

An instrument or medium by which some important action is performed, or an important end accomplished; as, legislatures, courts, armies, taxgatherers, etc., are organs of government.

A natural part or structure in an animal or a plant, capable of performing some special action (termed its function), which is essential to the life or well-being of the whole; as, the heart, lungs, etc., are organs of animals; the root, stem, foliage, etc., are organs of plants.

A component part performing an essential office in the working of any complex machine; as, the cylinder, valves, crank, etc., are organs of the steam engine.

A medium of communication between one person or body and another; as, the secretary of state is the organ of communication between the government and a foreign power; a newspaper is the organ of its editor, or of a party, sect, etc. A newsletter distributed within an organization is often called its house organ.

A wind instrument containing numerous pipes of various dimensions and kinds, which are filled with wind from a bellows, and played upon by means of keys similar to those of a piano, and sometimes by foot keys or pedals; - formerly used in the plural, each pipe being considered an organ.

To supply with an organ or organs; to fit with organs; to organize.

A fully differentiated structural and functional unit in an animal that is specialized for some particular function

A government agency or instrument devoted to the performance of some specific function;

(music) an electronic simulation of a pipe organ

A periodical that is published by a special interest group;

Wind instrument whose sound is produced by means of pipes arranged in sets supplied with air from a bellows and controlled from a large complex musical keyboard

A free-reed instrument in which air is forced through the reeds by bellows