institutionalism

American  

[in-sti-too-shuh-nl-iz-uhm, -tyoo-] / ˌɪn stɪˈtu ʃə nlˌɪz əm, -ˈtyu- /

noun

1. the system of institutions or organized societies devoted to public, charitable, or similar purposes.

2. strong attachment to established institutions, as of religion.

3. the policy or practice of using public institutions to house and care for people considered incapable of caring for themselves.

4. the belief or policy that a church must maintain institutions of education, welfare, etc., for its members.

---

institutionalism British  

/ ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃənəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the system of or belief in institutions

---

Other Word Forms

• institutionalist noun

Etymology

Origin of institutionalism

First recorded in 1860–65; institutional + -ism

Example Sentences

Matsumoto stresses the anonymity of modern institutionalism through a proliferation of numbers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some of them were well-intentioned, like Attorney General Merrick Garland—who wanted to restore institutionalism to the Justice Department.

From Slate

Boston University School of Law professor Jed Shugerman told Salon that particularly in the most recent Supreme Court term, Roberts has veered from institutionalism.

From Salon

“We can be bolder. We can have greater energy. We can do things that are outside the box. This is not the time for institutionalism or incrementalism.”

From Washington Post

I used to believe that answering hysteria with vanilla bean–flavored institutionalism would restore confidence in institutions.

From Slate