institute

noun

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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 Last year, Mozaffarian and others called on the National Institutes of Health to establish an institute for nutrition science that could coordinate those efforts and, crucially, help people interpret the results. — New York Times, "Is Coffee Good for Us? Maybe Machine Learning Can Help Figure It Out.," 24 Mar. 2021 Now, as word travels among students and 25,000 Mills alumnae that the stately college in Oakland will no longer enroll new students after the fall, and will close in 2023 to become an institute, their anger and sorrow has turned to action. — Nanette Asimov, San Francisco Chronicle, "Mills College students, alumnae fight to save their school. 'There's not another place like Mills in the world'," 19 Mar. 2021 Preference could be given to seminary and institute teachers over scholars in various academic disciplines. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "BYU shifts its hiring for religious studies, putting faith-building before scholarship," 6 Mar. 2021 The University of Oregon is set to create an institute focusing on environmental and racial justice after receiving a grant of more than $4.5 million, the largest humanities award in the school’s history. — oregonlive, "University of Oregon to start environmental justice institute after receiving $4.5 million grant," 15 Jan. 2021 The city has had to dip into its rainy day fund and institute hiring and spending freezes to balance its books. — Jean Marbella, baltimoresun.com, "What Brandon Scott faces as Baltimore’s next mayor: a pandemic, budget woes and crime-weary residents hoping for change," 6 Nov. 2020 While city officials urged outside agencies such as Morrell’s to follow suit and institute cuts on their own, Morrell is in line for an increase of about $850,000 to his $4 million budget for 2020. — Jeff Adelson, NOLA.com, "City Hall unveils 2021 budget plans; cuts for police and fire depts, employee furloughs extended," 26 Oct. 2020 Tests were conducted at Germany’s animal health institute and sensitive areas will now be cordoned off to try to prevent the disease spreading, Kloeckner said. — Brian Parkin, Fortune, "Europe is on high alert after a deadly swine virus emerges in Germany," 10 Sep. 2020 The country’s public health institute asked to stop AstraZeneca vaccinations while further assessment was underway. — Washington Post, "While its AstraZeneca covid vaccinations are suspended, Europe is confronting a third wave," 17 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The initiative would, for the first time, institute a limit on the amount of carbon emissions that can come from the transportation sector, said Katie Dykes, Commissioner of the state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. — Eliza Fawcett, courant.com, "Gov. Lamont plans to propose free weekend bus service across Connecticut this summer," 30 Mar. 2021 Local governments, private businesses and other entities may institute more stringent guidelines. — Post-tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, "Community news," 30 Mar. 2021 Venues can uphold their own mask policies for COVID prevention, and the county or city could institute its own mask rule when the statewide order expires. — Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, "Birmingham concerts and COVID: When will things return to normal?," 12 Mar. 2021 Why, oh why, not institute them urgently — and then enforce them? — Star Tribune, "Readers Write: End-of-life issues, loitering laws, Black Minnesota musicians," 5 Mar. 2021 The current proposal to restore the tax, introduced by state Rep. Paul Holvey, a Eugene Democrat, would institute a 5% tax to be paid by timber owners. — oregonlive, "Oregon’s logging industry says it can’t afford new taxes. But prices have never been higher and profits are soaring," 2 Mar. 2021 But the league did not institute the bubble this year, and dozens of this season's games were postponed due to COVID-19 safety and health protocols. — Christopher Brito, CBS News, "Shaquille O'Neal says he hopes fans returning to NBA arenas is a "sign we might be turning a corner"," 26 Feb. 2021 Unfortunately, the Aussie money grab would institute the opposite of a virtuous circle, putting politicians in charge of subsidizing media owners, and doing so behind an anti-transparency fig leaf provided unhappily by Google and Facebook. — WSJ, "Google and Facebook on the Barbie," 23 Feb. 2021 If passed in its current form, the measure would institute automatic voter registration nationwide and expand early voting. — Haley Victory Smith, Washington Examiner, "Ken Cuccinelli and conservative groups to start multimillion-dollar Election Transparency Initiative," 23 Feb. 2021

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

3 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Institute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institute. Accessed 13 Apr. 2021.

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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

institute

noun

Legal Definition of institute (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an elementary principle recognized as authoritative

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

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