definitions

institutionalize

[ in-sti-too-shuh-nl-ahyz, -tyoo- ]
/ ˌɪn stɪˈtu ʃə nlˌaɪz, -ˈtyu- /
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verb (used with object), in·sti·tu·tion·al·ized, in·sti·tu·tion·al·iz·ing.

to make institutional.
to make into or treat as an institution: the danger of institutionalizing racism.
to place or confine in an institution, especially one for the care of mental illness, alcoholism, etc.

RELATED WORDS

regulate, systematize, order

Nearby words

institutes, institution, institutional, institutional investor, institutionalism, institutionalize, institutionary, institutive, institutor, instr., instroke
Also especially British, in·sti·tu·tion·al·ise.

Origin of institutionalize

First recorded in 1860–65; institutional + -ize

Related forms

in·sti·tu·tion·al·i·za·tion, nounre·in·sti·tu·tion·al·i·za·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for institutionalize

British Dictionary definitions for institutionalize

institutionalize

institutionalise

/ (ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃənəˌlaɪz) /

verb

(tr; often passive) to subject to the deleterious effects of confinement in an institutiona mental patient who was institutionalized into boredom and apathy
(tr) to place in an institution
to make or become an institution

Derived Forms

institutionalization or institutionalisation, 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

Medicine definitions for institutionalize

institutionalize

[ ĭn′stĭ-tōō′shə-nə-līz′ ]

v.

To place a person in the care of an institution, especially one providing care for the disabled or mentally ill.

Related forms

in′sti•tu′tion•al•i•za′tion (-shə-nə-lĭ-zā′shən) n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.