institution

noun

in·​sti·​tu·​tion ˌin(t)-stə-ˈtü-shən 

-ˈtyü-

1

a

: an established organization or corporation (such as a bank or university) especially of a public character

financial institutions

b

: a facility or establishment in which people (such as the sick or needy) live and receive care typically in a confined setting and often without individual consent

… the testator disinherited her siblings over their efforts to have her committed to a mental institution in the wake of several suicide attempts.

—William M. McGovern, Jr.

c

: a significant practice, relationship, or organization in a society or culture

the institution of marriage

also : something or someone firmly associated with a place or thing

she has become an institution in the theater

2

: an act of instituting : establishment

Synonyms

• establishment
• foundation
• institute

Examples of institution in a Sentence

banks and other financial institutions

an institution of higher learning

Family visits are a Thanksgiving institution.

She's not interested in the institution of marriage.

The play has become something of an institution on Broadway.

the institution of new rules and regulations

Recent Examples on the Web

But their hallmarks are consistent: attempting to erode support for Ukraine, discrediting democratic institutions and officials, seizing on existing political divides and harnessing new artificial intelligence tools. —Shannon Bond, NPR, 6 June 2024

More than a third of students who began seeking a bachelor’s degree in fall 2014 at a four-year school failed to complete their education at the same institution in six years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 5 June 2024

The Switch’s massive library includes games that now feel like institutions unto themselves, like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as well as a plethora of excellent triple-A games from last year and some really great indies that landed just recently. —Antonio G. Di Benedetto, The Verge, 4 June 2024

Since Columbia first arrested protesters on April 18, there have been more than 3,000 arrests on campuses across the country, at institutions including California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, and Emory University. —Jeremy W. Peters, New York Times, 4 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing institution

• correctional institution
• counter-institution
• financial institution
• institution of higher learning
• mental institution
• penal institution

Kids Definition

institution

noun

in·​sti·​tu·​tion ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən 

1

: the act of instituting : establishment

2

: an established custom, practice, or law in a society or culture

the institution of marriage

turkey dinner is a Thanksgiving institution

3

a

: an established organization or corporation and especially one of a public nature

educational institutions

a financial institution

b

: asylum sense 3

institutional

-shnəl

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

institutionally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

institution

noun

in·​sti·​tu·​tion ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən 

: a facility or establishment in which people (such as the sick or needy) live and receive care typically in a confined setting and often without individual consent

a mental institution

Legal Definition

institution

noun

in·​sti·​tu·​tion

1

: the act of instituting

2

: a significant practice, relationship, or organization in a society or culture

the institution of marriage

3

: an established organization or corporation especially of a public character

specifically : a facility for the treatment or training of persons with mental deficiencies