institutional

American  

[in-sti-too-shuh-nl, -tyoo-] / ˌɪn stɪˈtu ʃə nl, -ˈtyu- /

adjective

1. of or relating to organized establishments, foundations, societies, or the like, or to the buildings they occupy.

   The association offers an institutional membership discount to members of affiliated groups.

2. of the nature of an established organization or institution.

   institutional bureaucracy.

3. relating to or noting a policy, practice, or belief system that has been established as normative or customary throughout an institution or society, particularly as perpetuated in institutions of a public character, as schools, courts, or legislative bodies: institutional sexism in academia;

   institutional racism in the criminal justice system;

   institutional sexism in academia;

   institutional prejudice against members of the gay community.

4. characterized by the blandness, drabness, uniformity, and lack of individualized attention attributed to large institutions that serve many people.

   institutional food.

5. (of advertising) having as the primary object the establishment of goodwill and a favorable reputation rather than the immediate sale of the product.

6. relating to established principles or institutes, especially of jurisprudence.

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institutional British  

/ ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of institutions

2. dull, routine, and uniform

   institutional meals

3. relating to principles or institutes, esp of law

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Other Word Forms

• anti-institutional adjective
• anti-institutionally adverb
• institutionally adverb
• interinstitutional adjective
• interinstitutionally adverb
• noninstitutional adjective
• noninstitutionally adverb
• uninstitutional adjective
• uninstitutionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of institutional

First recorded in 1610–20; institution + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Lawmakers have also questioned whether the staggered release risks obscuring institutional responsibility rather than clarifying it.

From Salon

Leaders within Australia’s Islamic community must reform the institutional structures governing their faith.

From The Wall Street Journal

Through continued institutional excellence, as well as some clever brand management, Merriam-Webster has survived the tech takeover.

From The Wall Street Journal

The largest component of the sum was A$135 million for institutional and market misconduct relating to the management of a A$14 billion government bond deal, and the inaccurate data reporting.

From The Wall Street Journal

At 72, the artist has finally gained institutional recognition, and she’s having the most fun she’s ever had.

From Los Angeles Times