institution

[in-sti-too-shuhn, -tyoo-]

noun

1. an organization, establishment, foundation, society, or the like, devoted to the promotion of a particular cause or program, especially one of a public, educational, or charitable character.

   This college is the best institution of its kind.

2. the building occupied by such an establishment.

3. a public or private place for the care or confinement of inmates, especially mental patients or other persons with physical or mental disabilities.

4. Sociology.,  a well-established and structured pattern of behavior or of relationships that is accepted as a fundamental part of a culture, as marriage.

   the institution of the family.

5. any established law, custom, etc.

6. any familiar, long-established person, thing, or practice; fixture.

7. the act of instituting or setting up; establishment.

   the institution of laws.

8. Ecclesiastical.

   1. the origination of the Eucharist, and enactment of its observance, by Christ.

   2. the investment of a member of the clergy with a spiritual charge.

institution

/ ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act of instituting

2. an organization or establishment founded for a specific purpose, such as a hospital, church, company, or college

3. the building where such an organization is situated

4. an established custom, law, or relationship in a society or community

5. Also called: institutional investor. a large organization, such as an insurance company, bank, or pension fund, that has substantial sums to invest on a stock exchange

6. informal,  a constant feature or practice

   Jones' drink at the bar was an institution

7. the appointment or admission of an incumbent to an ecclesiastical office or pastoral charge

8. Christian theol the creation of a sacrament by Christ, esp the Eucharist

Other Word Forms

• institutionary adjective
• counterinstitution noun
• noninstitution noun
• reinstitution noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of institution¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin institūtiōn-, stem of institūtiō; equivalent to institute + -ion

Example Sentences

Created by an act of Parliament, it would need to be a UK government decision to bring the institution to an end.

From BBC

Critics say he is now pulling the country back into authoritarianism by expanding the military’s involvement in civilian institutions.

From Los Angeles Times

But I respect the institution — the original of which has been and may be now America’s most watched series — and its longevity, as I will salute your long marriage.

From Los Angeles Times

"We need a progressive tax system – a tax on online gaming companies and gambling companies, a tax on windfall profits which the banks and financial institutions have seen over the last couple of years."

From BBC

Judge Burroughs wrote in her 84-page decision that Harvard should have done more to deal with antisemitism, which she said had "plagued" the institution in recent years.

From BBC

Related Words

• academy 
• association 
• business 
• clinic 
• company 
• establishment 
• foundation 
• hospital 
• institute 
• school 
• society 
• system 
• university