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.
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
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
Reporters found that county coroners, medical institutions and others repeatedly failed to contact reachable family members before declaring bodies unclaimed.
—Anagilmara Vílchez, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024
However, the degree to which this flexibility is offered varies significantly between institutions, programs and individual instructors.
—Joe Way, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Between multibillion-dollar television deals, the institution of the transfer portal and the escalation of NIL —name, image and likeness — deals for athletes, college athletic programs, particularly football, have never looked more lucrative.
—Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
The firm reportedly bought its stake in the institution, which is frequented by A-list celebrities, for $50 million.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for institution 
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Anagilmara Vílchez, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024
However, the degree to which this flexibility is offered varies significantly between institutions, programs and individual instructors.
—Joe Way, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Between multibillion-dollar television deals, the institution of the transfer portal and the escalation of NIL —name, image and likeness — deals for athletes, college athletic programs, particularly football, have never looked more lucrative.
—Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
The firm reportedly bought its stake in the institution, which is frequented by A-list celebrities, for $50 million.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for institution
Dictionary Entries Near institution
Cite this Entry
“Institution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institution. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
institutional
adjective
-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
institutionally
adverb
-ē
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
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