institutionalism

[ in-sti-too-shuh-nl-iz-uhm, -tyoo- ]

noun

1. the system of institutions or organized societies devoted to public, charitable, or similar purposes.
2. strong attachment to established institutions, as of religion.
3. the policy or practice of using public institutions to house and care for people considered incapable of caring for themselves.
4. the belief or policy that a church must maintain institutions of education, welfare, etc., for its members.

institutionalism

/ ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃənəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the system of or belief in institutions

Derived Forms

• ˌinstiˈtutionalist, noun

Other Words From

• insti·tution·al·ist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of institutionalism¹

First recorded in 1860–65; institutional + -ism

Example Sentences

A third question which must be asked is whether institutionalism in practice makes for unity among Christians, or for division.

From Project Gutenberg

Lastly, we must ask whether institutionalism is really a spiritual and moral force.

From Project Gutenberg

It is not an accident that America, where institutionalism is weakest, is the happy hunting-ground of religious quacks and cranks.

From Project Gutenberg

This is partly perhaps the spirit of spontaneous institutionalism in American democracy, breaking out in the wrong place.

From Project Gutenberg

We have spoken of the Master's rebukes of any form of institutionalism which stands in the way of human rights.

From Project Gutenberg