institutionalize

verb

in·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al·​ize ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-sh(ə-)nə-ˌlīz 

institutionalized; institutionalizing

transitive verb

1

: to make into an institution : give character of an institution to

especially : to incorporate into a structured and often highly formalized system

… he has tried to institutionalize the bank's practices so that it can carry on when he no longer leads it.

—Bruce Shenitz

In 2005, The New York Times revealed a set of NSA surveillance programs that, though considered shocking at the time, have since been institutionalized.

—David Brown

2

: to place in or commit to the care of a specialized institution (such as a psychiatric hospital)

Thirty years ago doctors routinely advised parents to institutionalize children with Down syndrome and other disabilities …

—Parenting

institutionalization

ˌin(t)-stə-ˌt(y)ü-sh(ə-)nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of institutionalize in a Sentence

It will take time to institutionalize these reforms.

They had to institutionalize their youngest son.

She was institutionalized for seven years.

Recent Examples on the Web

Giving these youth every opportunity to address the defects before becoming institutionalized is best for the youth and our communities. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 Dec. 2024

Part deux finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2024

Other large states that sent delegates to the Constitutional Convention had institutionalized slavery. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024

He was raised with his only full-blood brother, Lloyd. Quincy Sr. divorced Sarah shortly after she was institutionalized and remarried a woman named Elvera, who had three children. —Jennifer Frederick, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

institutionalize

verb

in·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al·​ize ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shnə-ˌlīz 

-shən-ᵊl-ˌīz

institutionalized; institutionalizing

1

: to make into or treat like an institution

institutionalized housing

2

: to put into an institution

Medical Definition

institutionalize

transitive verb

in·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al·​ize

variants or chiefly British institutionalise

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shnəl-ˌīz, -shən-ᵊl- 

institutionalized or chiefly British institutionalised; institutionalizing or chiefly British institutionalising

: to place in or commit to the care of a specialized institution

Thirty years ago doctors routinely advised parents to institutionalize children with Down syndrome and other disabilities …

—Parenting

institutionalization noun

or chiefly British institutionalisation

-ˌt(y)ü-shnəl-ə-ˈzā-shən, -ˌt(y)ü-shən-ᵊl- 

Legal Definition

institutionalize

transitive verb

in·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al·​ize ˌin-stə-ˈtü-shə-nə-ˌlīz, -ˈtyü- 

institutionalized; institutionalizing

: to put in the care of an institution compare commit