institute

American  

[in-sti-toot, -tyoot] / ˈɪn stɪˌtut, -ˌtyut /

verb (used with object)

instituted, instituting

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.

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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. Also called Institutes of Justinian.  (initial capital letter) an elementary treatise on Roman law in four books, forming one of the four divisions of the Corpus Juris Civilis.

6. something instituted.

institute British  

/ ˈɪnstɪˌtjuːt /

verb

1. to organize; establish

2. to initiate

   to institute a practice

3. to establish in a position or office; induct

4. to install (a clergyman) in a church

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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

Other Word Forms

• institutor noun
• reinstitute verb (used with object)
• uninstituted adjective
• well-instituted adjective

Etymology

Origin of institute

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

Example Sentences

"Restarting oilfields and fixing damaged infrastructure is a gradual process, and producers will be cautious about ramping up output without reliable export routes," said Simone Tagliapietra, a fellow at Europe's Bruegel institute.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

In 2023, more than 1,000 AI experts, including Elon Musk, called for AI labs to “immediately pause for at least 6 months” and, if they don’t, on governments to “step in and institute a moratorium.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

The "short answer is we don't know for sure" what actually led to the reduction in size of Rosie's biggest tumour, said Pall Thordarson, director of UNSW's RNA institute which created the vaccine.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

The fatal confrontation reportedly began with disturbances outside a conference at Sciences Po, the highly-regarded French political science institute.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

We institute a layaway plan so people can buy more expensive items in installments.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

Related Words

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