institution

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

/ ˌɪn stɪˈtu ʃən, -ˈtyu- /

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See synonyms for: institution / institutions 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 occupied by such an establishment.

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.

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Origin of institution

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

OTHER WORDS FROM institution

coun·ter·in·sti·tu·tion, nounnon·in·sti·tu·tion, nounre·in·sti·tu·tion, noun

Words nearby institution

instinctively, in stitches, institute, instituter, institutes, institution, institutional, institutional investor, institutionalism, institutionalization, institutionalize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use institution in a sentence

This left lower-tier institutions with a “deficit” of students, according to Hargreaves, who adds that some institutions have seen their pool of potential students decrease by 50 percent.
UK Universities Predicted a COVID-19 Crash. They Got the Opposite|Fiona Zublin|September 17, 2020|Ozy
So, I think that to create institutions that are trustworthy is probably the most important thing.
Does Anyone Really Know What Socialism Is? (Ep. 408 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 17, 2020|Freakonomics
At the end of the story, I asked which institution would be the first to break that unfortunate streak.
New Citi CEO Jane Fraser gives Wall Street banks a fresh perspective|Claire Zillman, reporter|September 11, 2020|Fortune
Hence, smart corporate institutions and businesses use online course platforms to provide learning opportunities for willing learners and also turn them to leads.
Inbound marketing for brand awareness: Four up-to-date ways to do it|Ali Faagba|September 11, 2020|Search Engine Watch

The institution is testing a second housing unit, Bureau of Prisons spokesman Emery Nelson wrote in an e-mail.
Federal Jail Downtown Now Has One of the Country’s Worst COVID Outbreaks|Maya Srikrishnan|September 10, 2020|Voice of San Diego
“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
What 15 months in a federal correction institution will be like, according to a man who counsels to-be inmates.
How a ‘Real Housewife’ Survives Prison: ‘I Don’t See [Teresa Giudice] Having a Cakewalk Here’|Michael Howard|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Marriott, with its deep history in the Mormon faith, portrays itself as a deeply ethical institution.
How ‘Ethical’ Hotel Chain Marriott Gouges Guests in the Name of Wi-Fi Security|Kyle Chayka|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Strange Social History of Our Most Intimate Institution.
The Real Story Behind the Fight for Marriage Equality|E.J. Graff|December 30, 2014|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
He was one of the founders of Andover theological seminary, and contributed altogether about $125,000 to that institution.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
The conception of the relation of this institution with them as co-operative makes headway slowly.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
The member banks should look upon the reserve bank not as an alien but as their own institution.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
That—and no existing institution and no current issue—is the primary concern of the present age.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Bobby attended this institution of learning with his particular chum and the boys had no end of good times.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum

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 forms of institution

institutionary, 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

institution

Origin of institution

OTHER WORDS FROM institution

Words nearby institution

Words related to institution

How to use institution in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for institution

Derived forms of institution