institute

1 of 2

noun

in·​sti·​tute ˈin(t)-stə-ˌtüt 

-ˌtyüt

: something that is instituted: such as

a

: an organization for the promotion of a cause : association

a research institute

an institute for the blind

b

: an educational institution and especially one devoted to technical fields

c

: a usually brief intensive course of instruction on selected topics relating to a particular field

an urban studies institute

d(1)

: an elementary principle recognized as authoritative

(2)

institutes plural : a collection of such principles and precepts

especially : a legal compendium

institute

2 of 2

verb

instituted; instituting

transitive verb

1

a

: to originate and get established : organize

b

: to set going : inaugurate

instituting an investigation

2

: to establish in a position or office

instituter noun

or institutor

ˈin(t)-stə-ˌtü-tər 

-ˌtyü-

Synonyms

Noun

• association
• board
• brotherhood
• chamber
• club
• college
• congress
• consortium
• council
• fellowship
• fraternity
• guild
• gild
• institution
• league
• order
• organization
• society
• sodality

Verb

• begin
• constitute
• establish
• found
• inaugurate
• initiate
• innovate
• introduce
• launch
• pioneer
• plant
• set up
• start

Examples of institute in a Sentence

Noun

They founded an institute for research into the causes of mental illness.

the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Verb

By instituting these programs, we hope to improve our children's education.

They have instituted new policies to increase public safety.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Forty-two states require voters who vote by mail to apply for the absentee ballot, and those approval processes are thorough, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, a non-profit public policy institute. —Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2024

According to a June 13, 2024 report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research and policy institute, Trump’s 2017 tax cuts mostly benefited the rich. —Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 24 Oct. 2024

Verb

Many towns in the United States have already instituted a voting age of 16 for local elections. —Ian Simmons, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Utah and Nebraska joined the movement in 2020, and several more states, including Alabama, Tennessee and Oregon, instituted similar measures in 2022. —Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin institutus, past participle of instituere, from in- + statuere to set up — more at statute

First Known Use

Noun

1546, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

institute

1 of 2 verb

in·​sti·​tute ˈin(t)-stə-ˌt(y)üt 

instituted; instituting

1

: to set up : establish

instituted a new policy

2

: to set going : begin

institute an investigation

instituter noun

or institutor

-ˌt(y)üt-ər 

institute

2 of 2 noun

1

: a basic principle

2

a

: an organization for the support of a cause : association

an institute for scientific research

b

: a place for study usually in a special field

an art institute

Legal Definition

institute

1 of 2 transitive verb

in·​sti·​tute

instituted; instituting

1

: to establish in a particular position or office

specifically, in the civil law of Louisiana : to appoint as heir see also instituted heir at heir

2

: to get started : bring

institute a lawsuit

institute

2 of 2 noun

1

: an elementary principle recognized as authoritative

2

plural : a collection of principles

especially : a legal compendium