institution

[ in-sti-too-shuh n, -tyoo- ]

/ ˌɪn stɪˈtu ʃən, -ˈtyu- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR institution ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

the building devoted to such work.

a public or private place for the care or confinement of inmates, especially mental patients or other persons with physical or mental disabilities.

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.

any established law, custom, etc.

any familiar, long-established person, thing, or practice; fixture.

the act of instituting or setting up; establishment: the institution of laws.

Ecclesiastical.

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

Nearby words

Origin of institution

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin institūtiōn- (stem of institūtiō). See institute, -ion

Related formscoun·ter·in·sti·tu·tion, nounnon·in·sti·tu·tion, nounre·in·sti·tu·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for institution

“The institution of marraige [sic] is under attack in our society and it needs to be strengthened,” Bush wrote.
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails|Jackie Kucinich|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Because the shop was emblematic of that peculiar Italian institution known as La Faccia: i.e. presenting the best face possible.
The Bookstore That Bewitched Mick Jagger, John Lennon, and Greta Garbo|Felice Picano|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A TNR alum dives deep in what happened with the 100-year-old institution.
The Daily Beast’s Best Longreads, Dec 8-14, 2014|William Boot|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Any institution striving to examine such an iconic figure would find formidable challenges.
The Virgin Mary Lookbook|William O’Connor|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He could get SSI income and Medicaid if he were living in an institution.
Medicaid Will Give You Money for At-Home Care, but You Might Wait Years|Elizabeth Picciuto|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She represented, not the institution of the family, but the institution of the Church.
Woman in Modern Society|Earl Barnes
On the other hand, it is maintained that there is an abundant field for both day school and institution.
The Deaf|Harry Best
The main question, the institution of a Senate, was not seriously debated.
Lectures on the French Revolution|John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton
It had been almost a year since I had left the Romish institution.
The Demands of Rome|Elizabeth Schoffen
The “institution” is even more odious under Mormon than Mohammed.
The Wild Huntress|Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for institution

institution

/ (ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃən) /

noun

the act of instituting

an organization or establishment founded for a specific purpose, such as a hospital, church, company, or college

the building where such an organization is situated

an established custom, law, or relationship in a society or community

Also called: institutional investor a large organization, such as an insurance company, bank, or pension fund, that has substantial sums to invest on a stock exchange

informal a constant feature or practiceJones' drink at the bar was an institution

the appointment or admission of an incumbent to an ecclesiastical office or pastoral charge

Christian theol the creation of a sacrament by Christ, esp the Eucharist

Derived Formsinstitutionary, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for institution

institution

c.1400, "action of establishing or founding (a system of government, a religious order, etc.)," from Old French institucion "foundation; thing established," from Latin institutionem (nominative institutio) "disposition, arrangement; instruction, education," noun of state from institutus (see institute). Meaning "established law or practice" is from 1550s. Meaning "establishment or organization for the promotion of some charity" is from 1707.

institution

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of institution

Examples from the Web for institution

British Dictionary definitions for institution

institution

noun

Word Origin and History for institution

institution