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

The Guttmacher Institute attributed the increased access to telehealth and financial support to the rise in spite of abortion bans.

From Salon

The Peterson Institute for International Economics forecasts that, combined with steep tariffs and mass deportation, these measures could lead to lower national income, reduced employment and inflation rates between 6% and 9.3% by 2026.

From Salon

If they do attempt to impose the agenda of Project 2025 or the America First Policy Institute, I expect it will lead pretty quickly to major blowback and significant damage.

From Salon

The dropout rate of first-year health and science T-level students was even higher at 31%, according to a report from the Education Policy Institute.

From BBC

The latest poll from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, co-sponsored by The Times, found that if Harris enters California’s crowded 2026 gubernatorial race, nearly half of voters would be very or somewhat likely to support her.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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