institutionalize

in·sti·tu·tion·al·ize

transitive verb \-shnə-ˌlīz, -shə-nə-ˌlīz\

in·sti·tu·tion·al·izedin·sti·tu·tion·al·iz·ing

Definition of INSTITUTIONALIZE

1

: to make into an institution : give character of an institution to <institutionalized housing>; especially : to incorporate into a structured and often highly formalized system <institutionalized values>

2

: to put in the care of an institution <institutionalize alcoholics>

— in·sti·tu·tion·al·i·za·tion \-ˌtü-shnə-lə-ˈzā-shən, -shə-nə-lə-ˈzā-\ noun

Examples of INSTITUTIONALIZE

1. It will take time to institutionalize these reforms.
2. They had to institutionalize their youngest son.
3. She was institutionalized for seven years.

First Known Use of INSTITUTIONALIZE

1865

in·sti·tu·tion·al·ize

transitive verb    (Medical Dictionary)

in·sti·tu·tion·al·ized or chiefly British in·sti·tu·tion·al·isedin·sti·tu·tion·al·iz·ing or chiefly British in·sti·tu·tion·al·is·ing

Medical Definition of INSTITUTIONALIZE

1

: to place in or commit to an institution (as a nursing home or hospital) offering specialized care (as for mental illness, substance abuse, or terminal illness)

2

: to accustom (a person) so firmly to the care and supervised routine of an institution as to make incapable of managing a life outside

—in·sti·tu·tion·al·iza·tion or chiefly British in·sti·tu·tion·al·isa·tion \-ˌt(y)ü-shnəl-ə-ˈzā-shən, -ˌt(y)ü-shən-^əl-\ noun

Variants of INSTITUTIONALIZE

in·sti·tu·tion·al·ize or chiefly British in·sti·tu·tion·al·ise \ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shnəl-ˌīz, -shən-^əl-\