institute

1 of 2

noun

in·​sti·​tute ˈin(t)-stə-ˌtüt How to pronounce institute (audio)
-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

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
The registration period begins March 28 and the institute has until April 14 to approve them, a spokesperson said. Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024 But the institute has stayed true to Redford’s initial vision, as a place where promising young artists can hone their craft amid the spectacular natural setting, gleaning wisdom from such regular advisers as actor Ed Harris, actress and director Joan Darling and screenwriter Joan Tewkesbury. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Faced with a debt of about $20 million, the beleaguered institute in San Francisco’s Russian Hill neighborhood filed for bankruptcy last April. Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 The institute handed out its highest award — Top Safety Pick+ — to just 22 vehicles this year, after revising its criteria to require better protection for rear-seat passengers and pedestrian safety features. William Gavin, Quartz, 2 Mar. 2024 However, Patrick Murray, director of the polling institute at Monmouth University, said that some polls show Trump’s support among Black voters has steadily increased from 12% depending on the methodology used and the margin of error. Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024 Dosing dolphins at a research institute in the US Virgin Islands. Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 28 Feb. 2024 Officials at the institute did not comment when asked about other potential injuries. Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024 Medicaid expansion covers the vast majority of the costs of expansion coverage, while generating offsetting savings and, for some states, revenue increases, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research and policy institute. Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2024
Verb
The Obama-era NLRB brought a massive case against the company and 29 franchisees in 2014, which turned into what was regarded as the biggest case the board ever instituted, and the longest. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 That’s one reason the IIHS instituted these ratings, Harkey said in an interview with CNN. Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 Rich and the rest of us know that the current border crisis is the fault of the Biden administration, which used its first weeks in power to undo the Trump administration’s executive orders and to institute its own on the border. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 12 Mar. 2024 Many of the city’s restrictions aren’t new, but in past years, they were instituted as emergency measures during the unofficial holiday – not measures put in place ahead of time. David Fischer, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2024 His office will again institute restrictions on leave for deputies around election times. Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 28 Feb. 2024 Grandview will also institute service days for Grandview and invite clients to participate. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2024 The population of Gaza—more than two million people—included only a thousand or so Christians, down from seven thousand in 2007, when Hamas took control of the area and Israel instituted a blockade. Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 Major League Soccer Referees are taking to the picket line to protest the lockout instituted by the MLS and Professional Referee Organization. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'institute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of institute was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near institute

Cite this Entry

“Institute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institute. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

institute

1 of 2 verb
in·​sti·​tute ˈin(t)-stə-ˌt(y)üt How to pronounce institute (audio)
instituted; instituting
1
: to set up : establish
instituted a new policy
2
: to set going : begin
institute an investigation
instituter noun
or institutor

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

More from Merriam-Webster on institute

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