institute

noun

in·sti·tute | \ ˈin(t)-stə-ˌtüt

, -ˌtyüt\

Definition of institute

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

verb

instituted; instituting

Definition of institute (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to originate and get established : organize

b : to set going : inaugurate instituting an investigation

2 : to establish in a position or office

Other Words from institute Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about institute

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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

That has risen 5% to $18.28 in 2017, the institute says. — Mike Snider, USA TODAY, "Labor Day 2019: A closeup look at the U.S. work force as holiday arrives," 2 Sep. 2019 The institute says there's no one way to clear the roads. — Aj Willingham, CNN, "Commuters waste an average of 54 hours a year stalled in traffic, study says," 22 Aug. 2019 Although some people fear that houses near shrubs are more likely to burn, that’s not necessarily the case, the institute says. — Claire Wolters, National Geographic, "Wildfires, explained," 11 Aug. 2019 According to the institute, this makes Connecticut one of 33 states where the cost of care is more expensive than receiving higher education. — Shannon Larson, courant.com, "Connecticut among the most expensive states when it comes to child care, research shows," 31 July 2019 In the three years following the 2016 signing of the agreement between the European Union and Turkey, about 2,400 people were returned from Greece to Turkey out of about 145,600 arrivals in Greece, the institute said. — New York Times, "The U.S. and Guatemala Reached an Asylum Deal: Here’s What It Means," 28 July 2019 The institute said that findings were around 100 Becquerel (Bq) per liter as opposed to around 0.001 Bq per liter elsewhere in the Norwegian Sea. — Fox News, "Scientists discover radiation leak '100,000 times normal level' from Russian nuclear sub wreck," 12 July 2019 The institute says the ground the small animal covered was among the most ever recorded for an arctic fox seeking a breeding site. — Anchorage Daily News, "Arctic fox walks more than 2,700 miles from Norway to Canada," 2 July 2019 Only 45% of candidates globally got through the first stage of the 3-Level qualification in December, the institute says. — Andrew Peaple, WSJ, "China Has Caught the CFA Fever," 13 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Congress should follow California’s model and prioritize instituting gun safety laws that will help prevent suicides and their devastating impact on families. — Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, The Mercury News, "Editorial: California gun laws are helping lower suicide rate," 15 Sep. 2019 The Laguna Beach City Council will consider a resolution Tuesday that would institute rules of decorum and civility for city officials, employees and the public at city meetings. — Lilly Nguyen, Daily Pilot, "Resolution before Laguna Beach council looks to restore civility at meetings," 14 Sep. 2019 Questions remain on what Democrats’ foreign policy looks like Political scholars and Washington insiders have argued for years that the U.S. has not instituted a truly left-leaning or liberal foreign policy agenda. — Mythili Sampathkumar, Fortune, "3 Things We Learned From the Third Democratic Debate Last Night," 13 Sep. 2019 At issue is California bill AB5, which could convert hundreds of thousands of contract workers in the state to employee status, instituting wage floors and ushering in benefits. — Faiz Siddiqui, Anchorage Daily News, "California Senate passes bill that has divided Democrats over the future of Uber and Lyft drivers," 11 Sep. 2019 The first condition is that every one of the world’s major polluting countries institute draconian conservation measures, shut down much of its energy and transportation infrastructure, and completely retool its economy. — Jonathan Franzen, The New Yorker, "What If We Stopped Pretending?," 8 Sep. 2019 When Donald Trump instituted a travel ban on people from Muslim countries, 164 firms signed legal briefs opposing it. — The Economist, "Socially liberal companies really do contribute more to Democrats," 29 Aug. 2019 The new wave of rule-passing started last summer, when the city instituted the country’s first-ever freeze on for-hire vehicle licenses, barring drivers from registering new cars to drive for the companies. — Aarian Marshall, WIRED, "Surprise! Uber and Lyft Don’t Like NYC’s New Ride-Hail Rules," 16 Aug. 2019 The Obama Administration sought to tighten rules on how companies dispose of coal ash, which would have instituted uniform standards to reduce contamination. — Justin Worland, Time, "President Trump Condemned Baltimore as 'Disgusting.' His Administration’s Policies Aren't Exactly Helping," 31 July 2019

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.

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Dictionary Entries near institute

institutional economics

Statistics for institute

Last Updated

7 Oct 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for institute

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

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More Definitions for institute

institute

noun

English Language Learners Definition of institute

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

institute

verb

English Language Learners Definition of institute (Entry 2 of 2)

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

See the full definition for institute in the English Language Learners Dictionary

institute

verb

in·sti·tute | \ ˈin-stə-ˌtüt

, -ˌtyüt\

instituted; instituting

Kids Definition of institute

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to begin or establish The library instituted new rules.

2 : to give a start to Police instituted an investigation.

institute

noun

Kids Definition of institute (Entry 2 of 2)

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

institute

transitive verb

in·sti·tute

instituted; instituting

Legal Definition of institute

(Entry 1 of 2)

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