institution

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

noun

1. 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.

2. the building occupied by such an establishment.

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

4. 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.

5. any established law, custom, etc.

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

7. the act of instituting or setting up; establishment.

   the institution of laws.

8. Ecclesiastical.

   1. the origination of the Eucharist, and enactment of its observance, by Christ.

   2. the investment of a member of the clergy with a spiritual charge.

institution

/ ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act of instituting

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

3. the building where such an organization is situated

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

5. 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

6. informal,  a constant feature or practice

   Jones' drink at the bar was an institution

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

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

Other Word Forms

• counterinstitution noun
• noninstitution noun
• reinstitution noun
• institutionary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of institution¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin institūtiōn-, stem of institūtiō; equivalent to institute + -ion

Example Sentences

Far from limiting itself to bibliographic endeavors, the library began to think of itself as a research institution in the late 19th century, thanks to librarians of Congress Ainsworth Rand Spofford and Herbert Putnam.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Twenty-five of the exhibition’s more than 120 works come from the two neighboring institutions, while the rest are loans gathered from the artist’s estate and museum and private collections.

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"It's horrific. It's a Russell Group university - it's unacceptable at any educational institution."

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The proposed levy would cost London universities up to an estimated £220m, according to London Higher, which represents universities and higher education institutions across the capital.

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He believes banking institutions should have done more to protect his father and vulnerable people like him.

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Related Words

• academy 
• association 
• business 
• clinic 
• company 
• establishment 
• foundation 
• hospital 
• institute 
• school 
• society 
• system 
• university