institution

[ in-sti-too-shuhn, -tyoo- ]

noun

1. an organization, establishment, foundation, society, or the like, devoted to the promotion of a particular cause or program, especially one of a public, educational, or charitable character:

   This college is the best institution of its kind.

2. the building occupied by such an establishment.
3. a public or private place for the care or confinement of inmates, especially mental patients or other persons with physical or mental disabilities.
4. Sociology. a well-established and structured pattern of behavior or of relationships that is accepted as a fundamental part of a culture, as marriage:

   the institution of the family.

5. any established law, custom, etc.
6. any familiar, long-established person, thing, or practice; fixture.
7. the act of instituting or setting up; establishment:

   the institution of laws.

8. Ecclesiastical.
   1. the origination of the Eucharist, and enactment of its observance, by Christ.
   2. the investment of a member of the clergy with a spiritual charge.

institution

/ ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act of instituting
2. an organization or establishment founded for a specific purpose, such as a hospital, church, company, or college
3. the building where such an organization is situated
4. an established custom, law, or relationship in a society or community
5. Also calledinstitutional investor a large organization, such as an insurance company, bank, or pension fund, that has substantial sums to invest on a stock exchange
6. informal.
   a constant feature or practice

   Jones' drink at the bar was an institution

7. the appointment or admission of an incumbent to an ecclesiastical office or pastoral charge
8. Christian theol the creation of a sacrament by Christ, esp the Eucharist

Derived Forms

• ˌinstiˈtutionary, adjective

Other Words From

• counter·insti·tution noun
• nonin·sti·tution noun
• rein·sti·tution noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of institution¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin institūtiōn-, stem of institūtiō; equivalent to institute + -ion

Example Sentences

“We need an Education Secretary who understands these issues and will work alongside educators to secure more resources for public schools and protect the institution of public education,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

To address this, the research team is expanding their measurement facilities and collaborating with well-equipped research institutions abroad.

From Science Daily

In less than two weeks since being elected again, Donald J. Trump has embarked on a new campaign to shatter the institutions of Washington as no incoming president has in his lifetime.

From Salon

Those institutions in Germany that use outside for their students catering rarely receive food wrapped in single-use packaging.

From Salon

"The fact that we actually accomplished this feat shows how much farther we can reach when we bring the strengths of our institutions together."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• academy
• association
• business
• clinic
• company
• establishment
• foundation
• hospital
• institute
• school
• society
• system
• university