institution
[in-sti-too-shuh n, -tyoo-]
- 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.
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Origin of institution
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for institution
Contemporary Examples
“The institution of marraige [sic] is under attack in our society and it needs to be strengthened,” Bush wrote.
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 GarboFelice Picano
December 16, 2014
A TNR alum dives deep in what happened with the 100-year-old institution.
Any institution striving to examine such an iconic figure would find formidable challenges.
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 YearsElizabeth Picciuto
December 2, 2014
Historical Examples
I did not tell you of it at the time, but led you to suppose that I had been at the institution.
Life in LondonEdwin Hodder
The truth was, a boy meant just so much a year to the institution.
A Treatise on Parents and ChildrenGeorge Bernard Shaw
And this was strange, since the Italian restaurant is such a peculiarly British institution.
The Secret AgentJoseph Conrad
I was received into the institution without any difficulty, and have belonged to it ever since.
Ned MyersJames Fenimore Cooper
So let us hasten to this institution, and participate this divine joy.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. IIFrancis Augustus Cox
institution
- 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
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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
n.
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper