institute

play

verb in·sti·tute \ ˈin(t)-stə-ˌtüt , -ˌtyüt \

Definition of institute

instituted; instituting

transitive verb

1 :to establish in a position or office

2 a :to originate and get established :organize

b :to set going :inaugurate

instituting an investigation

—

instituter

or institutor play \ˈin(t)-stə-ˌtü-tər, -ˌtyü-\ noun

See institute defined for English-language learners

See institute defined for kids

Examples of institute in a Sentence

By instituting these programs, we hope to improve our children's education.
They have instituted new policies to increase public safety.

Recent Examples of institute from the Web

The vulnerability of phone numbers is the unintended consequence of a broad push in the security industry to institute a practice, known as two-factor authentication, that is supposed to help make accounts more secure.

— nathaniel popper, New York Times, "Identity Thieves Hijack Cellphone Accounts to Go After Virtual Currency," 21 Aug. 2017
Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly revealed on Wednesday that the ban had been instituted after the DHS tested a small explosive device inside a pressurized plane, but that new security measures were adequate to handle the threat.

— david hambling, Popular Mechanics, "Just How Dangerous Are Laptop Bombs on Planes?," 21 July 2017
More generally, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has sought to institute changes at EPA that could lead to greater industry voice in agency decisions, including through changes to its science advisory panels.

— puneet kollipara, Science | AAAS, "Controversy greets Trump pick to lead EPA chemical safety programs," 21 July 2017
The education overhaul was part of a broader indoctrination for children that ISIS instituted in towns and cities across its territory.

— emily feldman, MSNBC Newsweek, "Can ISIS's Indoctrinated Kids be Saved From a Future of Violent Jihad?," 6 July 2017
U.S. officials instituted the ban in March across 10 Middle East cities over concerns Islamic State fighters and other extremists could hide bombs inside of laptops.

— jon gambrell, The Seattle Times, "Qatar Airways joins Gulf carriers off US laptop ban list," 5 July 2017
U.S. officials instituted the ban in March across 10 Middle East cities over concerns Islamic State fighters and other extremists could hide bombs inside of laptops.

— Washington Post, "Qatar Airways joins Gulf carriers off US laptop ban list," 5 July 2017
Bardy, whose staff is consulting with the UF experts, has instituted strict protocols to contain the outbreak.

— kate santich, OrlandoSentinel.com, "As dog flu outbreak widens, experts call for flu shots," 30 June 2017
As CEO, Tisch instituted a Loews Hotels Good Neighbor Policy, a commitment to good corporate citizenship in each of its markets.

— diane stafford, kansascity.com, "Loews, new investor in downtown KC convention hotel, is on an expansion roll," 21 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'institute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of institute

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

institute Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

close (down), phase out, shut (up)

Related Words

author, father, originate; conceive, concoct, contrive, cook (up), create, devise, fabricate, invent, make up, manufacture, produce, think (up); construct, put up; develop, enlarge, expand; endow, finance, fund, subsidize; arrange, organize, systematize, systemize; refound, reinitiate, reinstitute, relaunch

Near Antonyms

abolish, annihilate, annul, nullify; end, finish, halt, stop, terminate; round (off or out), wind up, wrap up

institute

noun

Definition of institute

:something that is instituted: such as

a (1) :an elementary principle recognized as authoritative

(2) institutes plural :a collection of such principles and precepts; especially :a legal compendium

b :an organization for the promotion of a cause :association

a research institute

an institute for the blind

c :an educational institution and especially one devoted to technical fields

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

an urban studies institute

See institute defined for English-language learners

Examples of institute in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of institute from the Web

Point, counterpoint Singer faced pushback from former FTC Commissioner Joshua Wright, a Republican and law professor who directs an antitrust institute at George Mason University.

— jon brodkin, Ars Technica, "A Title II opponent explains why Ajit Pai’s plan won’t protect net neutrality," 25 Aug. 2017
In 2013, India passed laws to control the sale of acid and institute a 10-year minimum sentence for acid attacks, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

— savita iyer, Teen Vogue, "The Complex Task of Deterring Acid Attacks, Explained," 10 Aug. 2017
The martyr was himself a killer, says Franco Martín López, the institute’s director.

— The Economist, "Challenging the cult of Che Guevara," 20 July 2017
In April, Barone raised concerns about the Hartford data given to his institute, which is tasked with determining racial bias in traffic stops.

— vinny vella, Courant Community, "State Institute Praises Police Effort To Address Traffic-Stop Concerns in Hartford," 20 July 2017
Brown's institute is exploring the idea of establishing a community benefits fund for residents of Rubbertown, said its executive director, Veronica Combs.

— james bruggers, The Courier-Journal, "Don't back off toxic air goal, Louisville crowd tells city staff, board," 19 July 2017
Her predecessor, William Brody, headed the institute from 2008 to 2015.

— meredith wadman, Science | AAAS, "Two female scientists sue Salk Institute, alleging discrimination at 'old boys club'," 14 July 2017
Despite fears (and hopes) that President Trump would withdraw America from the world stage and institute a fortress-America foreign policy, the new guard has put Obama’s foreign policy on autopilot.

— michael brendan dougherty, National Review, "Trump’s Yemen Policy Is Immoral and Counterproductive," 13 July 2017
But Seattle could, with voter approval, institute some sort of tolling within the city’s boundaries without the Legislature.

— david gutman, The Seattle Times, "Time for Seattle-area drivers to pay up? Tolling doesn’t get much love, but it eases gridlock," 26 June 2017

First Known Use of institute

1546

institute Synonyms

Synonyms

board, brotherhood, chamber, club, college, congress, consortium, council, fellowship, fraternity, guild (also gild), association, institution, league, order, organization, society, sodality

Related Words

collective, commune, community, cooperative; alliance, bloc, camp, coalition, partnership; body, cadre, group; circle, clan, clique, coterie, junta, junto, klatch (also klatsch), lot, set; crew, outfit, party, squad, team; branch, chapter, local; faithful, fold, membership; sisterhood, sorority; cabal, camarilla, camorra, confederacy, conspiracy; band, gang, ring; cartel, combine, syndicate

INSTITUTE Defined for English Language Learners

institute

play

verb

Definition of institute for English Language Learners

: to begin or create (something, such as a new law, rule, or system)

institute

noun

Definition of institute for English Language Learners

: an organization created for a particular purpose (such as research or education)

INSTITUTE Defined for Kids

institute

play

verb in·sti·tute \ ˈin-stə-ˌtüt , -ˌtyüt \

Definition of institute for Students

instituted; instituting

1 :to begin or establish

The library instituted new rules.

2 :to give a start to

Police instituted an investigation.

institute

noun

Definition of institute for Students

1 :an organization for the promotion of a cause

an institute for scientific research

2 :a place for study usually in a special field

an art institute

Law Dictionary

institute

transitive verb in·sti·tute

legal Definition of institute

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

noun

legal Definition of institute

1 :an elementary principle recognized as authoritative

2 plural :a collection of principles; especially :a legal compendium

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institute

Definition of institute

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institute Synonyms

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INSTITUTE Defined for English Language Learners

institute

Definition of institute for English Language Learners

institute

Definition of institute for English Language Learners

INSTITUTE Defined for Kids

institute

Definition of institute for Students

institute

Definition of institute for Students

Law Dictionary

institute

legal Definition of institute

institute

legal Definition of institute

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