institution

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

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.

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

Related Words for institution

foundation, school, business, institute, academy, university, system, society, clinic, hospital, establishment, company, association, conservatory, guild, fixture, college, asylum, seminar, orphanage

Examples from the Web for institution

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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
Any institution striving to examine such an iconic figure would find formidable challenges.
The Virgin Mary Lookbook
William O’Connor
December 7, 2014
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

Historical Examples of institution

I did not tell you of it at the time, but led you to suppose that I had been at the institution.
Life in London
Edwin Hodder
The truth was, a boy meant just so much a year to the institution.
A Treatise on Parents and Children
George Bernard Shaw
And this was strange, since the Italian restaurant is such a peculiarly British institution.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad
I was received into the institution without any difficulty, and have belonged to it ever since.
Ned Myers
James Fenimore Cooper
So let us hasten to this institution, and participate this divine joy.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. II
Francis Augustus Cox

British Dictionary definitions for institution

institution

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

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.