institutionalism

[in-sti-too-shuh-nl-iz-uh m, -tyoo-]

noun

the system of institutions or organized societies devoted to public, charitable, or similar purposes.
strong attachment to established institutions, as of religion.
the policy or practice of using public institutions to house and care for people considered incapable of caring for themselves.

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

Origin of institutionalism

First recorded in 1860–65; institutional + -ism

Related formsin·sti·tu·tion·al·ist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for institutionalist

Contemporary Examples of institutionalist

McConnell is an institutionalist; he likes to keep things secret.
And Now Mitch McConnell Is the ‘Pro-Woman’ Candidate!
Eleanor Clift
October 20, 2014

Historical Examples of institutionalist

The Christian institutionalist is the servant of a grand idea.
Outspoken Essays
William Ralph Inge
Protestants have always felt their affinity with this institutionalist, mystics with this disciplinarian.
Outspoken Essays
William Ralph Inge

British Dictionary definitions for institutionalist

institutionalism

noun

the system of or belief in institutions

Derived Formsinstitutionalist, noun

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