institutionalize

American  

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

especially British, institutionalise

verb (used with object)

institutionalized, institutionalizing

1. to make institutional.

2. to make into or treat as an institution.

   the danger of institutionalizing racism.

3. to place or confine in an institution, especially one for the care of mental illness, alcoholism, etc.

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institutionalize British  

/ ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃənəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr; often passive) to subject to the deleterious effects of confinement in an institution

   a mental patient who was institutionalized into boredom and apathy

2. (tr) to place in an institution

3. to make or become an institution

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Other Word Forms

• institutionalization noun

Etymology

Origin of institutionalize

First recorded in 1860–65; institutional + -ize

Example Sentences

Without such unpaid family support, older adults would go without care or end up in institutionalized care, which would further burden the healthcare system and public programs like Medicaid.

From MarketWatch

“It was pretty much being institutionalized, but you get to go home at night,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Are there any models that you have in mind for what steps governments should take to actually help communities and not only improve their material conditions, but institutionalize their say in the policy process?

From Salon

“Plans to institutionalize and operationalize the European dimension through exercises and dedicated coordinating bodies will likely be welcomed in Berlin because it gives hope that French nuclear assurances will last beyond Macron’s presidency,” he added.

From The Wall Street Journal

What once lived only in employees’ heads, built through years of experience and hard-won expertise, is increasingly being institutionalized in real time.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• regulate