institute

[ in-sti-toot, -tyoot ]

verb (used with object)

, in·sti·tut·ed, in·sti·tut·ing.

1. to set up; establish; organize:

   to institute a government.

2. to inaugurate; initiate; start:

   to institute a new course in American literature.

3. to set in operation:

   to institute a lawsuit.

4. to bring into use or practice:

   to institute laws.

5. to establish in an office or position.
6. Ecclesiastical. to assign to or invest with a spiritual charge, as of a parish.

noun

1. a society or organization for carrying on a particular work, as of a literary, scientific, or educational character.
2. the building occupied by such a society.
3. Education.
   1. an institution, generally beyond the secondary school level, devoted to instruction in technical subjects, usually separate but sometimes organized as a part of a university.
   2. a unit within a university organized for advanced instruction and research in a relatively narrow field of subject matter.
   3. a short instructional program set up for a special group interested in a specialized field or subject.
4. an established principle, law, custom, or organization.
5. institutes,
   1. an elementary textbook of law designed for beginners.
   2. (initial capital letter) Also called In·sti·tutes of Jus·tin·i·an [in, -sti-toots , uh, v juh-, stin, -ee-, uh, n, -tyoots]. an elementary treatise on Roman law in four books, forming one of the four divisions of the Corpus Juris Civilis.
6. something instituted.

institute

/ ˈɪnstɪˌtjuːt /

verb

1. to organize; establish
2. to initiate

   to institute a practice

3. to establish in a position or office; induct
4. foll byin or into to install (a clergyman) in a church

noun

1. an organization founded for particular work, such as education, promotion of the arts, or scientific research
2. the building where such an organization is situated
3. something instituted, esp a rule, custom, or precedent

Derived Forms

• ˈinstiˌtutor, noun

Other Words From

• re·in·sti·tute verb (used with object) reinstituted reinstituting
• un·in·sti·tut·ed adjective
• well-in·sti·tut·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of institute¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Latin institūtus, past participle of instituere “to set, put up, establish,” equivalent to in- ”in” + -stitū- (combining form of statū-, stem of statuere “to place upright, set, stand” ) + -tus past participle suffix; in- ², stand

Word History and Origins

Origin of institute¹

C16: from Latin instituere, from statuere to place, stand

Example Sentences

And that solution, she writes, has been sitting on the shelves of a bacteriophage institute in Tbilisi, Georgia, for decades.

From Salon

While McMahon’s views on many hot-button education issues are not well-known, the institute’s website focuses its priorities on “school choice,” parental approval of curriculum, basic skills and “teaching the truth about America’s history.”

From Los Angeles Times

More than 70% have been in the country for longer than a decade, according to the institute.

From Los Angeles Times

Experts have attributed the rise to an economy that has been stronger than expected, as well as the policies former President Trump may institute upon taking office.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump has said he will institute another travel and refugee ban on “Gaza, Syria, Somalia, Yemen or Libya or anywhere else that threatens our security.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appoint
• come up with
• create
• enact
• establish
• inaugurate
• initiate
• install
• introduce
• launch
• organize
• set up