institute

[in-sti-toot, -tyoot]

verb (used with object)

instituted, instituting 

1. to set up; establish; organize.

   to institute a government.

2. to inaugurate; initiate; start.

   to institute a new course in American literature.

3. to set in operation.

   to institute a lawsuit.

4. to bring into use or practice.

   to institute laws.

5. to establish in an office or position.

6. Ecclesiastical.,  to assign to or invest with a spiritual charge, as of a parish.

noun

1. a society or organization for carrying on a particular work, as of a literary, scientific, or educational character.

2. the building occupied by such a society.

3. Education.

   1. an institution, generally beyond the secondary school level, devoted to instruction in technical subjects, usually separate but sometimes organized as a part of a university.

   2. a unit within a university organized for advanced instruction and research in a relatively narrow field of subject matter.

   3. a short instructional program set up for a special group interested in a specialized field or subject.

4. an established principle, law, custom, or organization.

5. institutes,

   1. an elementary textbook of law designed for beginners.

   2. Also called Institutes of Justinian. (initial capital letter),  an elementary treatise on Roman law in four books, forming one of the four divisions of the Corpus Juris Civilis.

6. something instituted.

institute

/ ˈɪnstɪˌtjuːt /

verb

1. to organize; establish

2. to initiate

   to institute a practice

3. to establish in a position or office; induct

4. to install (a clergyman) in a church

noun

1. an organization founded for particular work, such as education, promotion of the arts, or scientific research

2. the building where such an organization is situated

3. something instituted, esp a rule, custom, or precedent

Other Word Forms

• institutor noun
• reinstitute verb (used with object)
• uninstituted adjective
• well-instituted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of institute¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Latin institūtus, past participle of instituere “to set, put up, establish,” equivalent to in- ”in” + -stitū- (combining form of statū-, stem of statuere “to place upright, set, stand” ) + -tus past participle suffix; in- ², stand

Word History and Origins

Origin of institute¹

C16: from Latin instituere, from statuere to place, stand

Example Sentences

"With this narrowed focus, the institute may no longer be seen as the national institute for AI and data science."

From BBC

“We’re instituting changes to get more people actually working in the parks and are looking forward to what Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly forecasted to be an ‘outstanding summer.’

From Los Angeles Times

Since leaving office, he made good governance a priority at his institute at the University of Southern California and campaigned for independent redistricting across the nation.

From Los Angeles Times

His role at the institute was far from top secret, but it had been treated as highly sensitive and confidential.

From Salon

According to the institute's polling, 75% of Ukrainians are totally opposed to giving Russia formal ownership of any territory.

From BBC

Related Words

• appoint 
• come up with 
• create 
• enact 
• establish 
• inaugurate 
• initiate 
• install 
• introduce 
• launch 
• organize 
• set up