in·sti·tute
ˈin(t)-stə-ˌtüt 
-ˌtyüt
plural institutes
: something that is instituted: such as
a
: an organization for the promotion of a cause : association
a research institute
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
Teachers attended a summer institute and a series of one-day seminars during the school year.—
Tom Loveless
Tom Loveless
d(1)
: an elementary principle recognized as authoritative
If the students in their first one or two years were taught the institutes of medicine, … it would be perfectly easy to have those subjects taught thoroughly and effectually …—Thomas Henry Huxley
Thomas Henry Huxley
(2)
institutes plural
: a collection of such principles and precepts
especially
: a legal compendium
instituted; instituting
1
a
: to originate and get established : organize
b
: to set going : inaugurate
instituting an investigation
2
: to establish in a position or office
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
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 Dec. 2025
The institute noted that the survey was fielded online using Ipsos' KnowledgePanel and that question wording, timing and sampling error could all affect results.
—Simon Crerar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
Adam M. Rosen, thehustle.co, 12 Dec. 2025
Probst, an engineer by trade and his own admission, was almost exclusively asked about his role in developing the Next Gen car — the stock car used by the NASCAR Cup Series — and why NASCAR decided to develop and institute it.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for institute
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The conversation also discusses the shakiness of the indie film markeplace in recent years as well as the Sundance’s festival and institute’s ups and downs since the pandemic.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 Dec. 2025
The institute noted that the survey was fielded online using Ipsos' KnowledgePanel and that question wording, timing and sampling error could all affect results.
—Simon Crerar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
In their telling, the tort reform movement is a smokescreen for corporations to avoid paying out fair settlements or instituting proper consumer safety protections.
—Adam M. Rosen, thehustle.co, 12 Dec. 2025
Probst, an engineer by trade and his own admission, was almost exclusively asked about his role in developing the Next Gen car — the stock car used by the NASCAR Cup Series — and why NASCAR decided to develop and institute it.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for institute
Cite this Entry
“Institute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institute. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
institute
1 of 2 verb
in·sti·tute
ˈin(t)-stə-ˌt(y)üt
instituted; instituting
1
: to set up : establish
instituted a new policy
2
: to set going : begin
institute an investigation
institute
2 of 2 noun1
: 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
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