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
In the long term, this failure to address deep social problems contributes to the erosion of people’s trust in governments and institutions, breeding nihilism and an attraction to demagogues who claim to have easy answers.
—Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
A lot of them have been trying to do that already, despite the fact that the institution itself previously tried hard to protect him.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 19 Feb. 2026
According to what Sacken told parents at a May 2025 board meeting, the school needed an additional $75,000 to $100,000 a year to continue operating as a kindergarten through 12th grade institution.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Feb. 2026
For there is no other institution like the Royal Family, which can summon ancient magic and modern sin, in the space of a single statement to the press.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for institution
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
A lot of them have been trying to do that already, despite the fact that the institution itself previously tried hard to protect him.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 19 Feb. 2026
According to what Sacken told parents at a May 2025 board meeting, the school needed an additional $75,000 to $100,000 a year to continue operating as a kindergarten through 12th grade institution.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Feb. 2026
For there is no other institution like the Royal Family, which can summon ancient magic and modern sin, in the space of a single statement to the press.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for institution
Cite this Entry
“Institution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institution. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
