orphanage

/ˈɔrf(ə)nɪdʒ/

/ˈɔfənɛdʒ/

Other forms: orphanages

An orphanage is a place where children without parents are cared for and housed.

If a child has no parents — because the parents died or lost custody — the child is considered an orphan. Orphans are parentless. An orphanage is an institution that takes care of orphans. An orphanage will care for tiny babies and also older children without parents. Orphanages care for children until they can be placed in homes and adopted.

Definitions of orphanage

1. noun

   a public institution for the care of orphans
   synonyms: orphans' asylum

   type of:

   institution

   an establishment consisting of a building or complex of buildings where an organization for the promotion of some cause is situated
2. noun

   the condition of being a child without living parents
   “his early orphanage shaped his character as an adult”

   synonyms: orphanhood

   type of:

   condition

   a mode of being or form of existence of a person or thing