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

Damiani enlisted an American nonprofit research institute to narrow down the number. — Wired, "One Scientist’s Quest to Bring DNA Sequencing to Every Sick Kid," 30 Aug. 2019 These included billionaire John Walton, Hollywood’s Glenn Close and enough scientists to staff an institute. — Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Tim Means, Baja California ecotourism pioneer, dies at the age of 75," 28 Aug. 2019 Today, there’s an aviation institute in Buehler’s name at the college’s Judson A. Samuels Campus in Pembroke Pines and the next-door North Perry Airport. — Sylvia Gurinsky, sun-sentinel.com, "Emil Buehler took Broward County to the stars | Opinion," 22 Aug. 2019 Both writeups encouraged people to donate to an ecology institute in nearby Yellow Springs instead of sending flowers. — Eliott C. Mclaughlin And Carma Hassan, CNN, "Obituaries paint flattering portraits of the Dayton shooter and the sister he killed," 14 Aug. 2019 Several were students from Saudi Arabia who studied at the American Cultural Exchange, which now goes by Interlink, an intensive English-language institute housed at the university. — oregonlive.com, "Saudi students escaping US justice: Amid political impasse, one sexual assault survivor speaks out," 2 Aug. 2019 The university will retain Jiaxin Xie, the institute’s director, to help spearhead those efforts. — Teresa Watanabestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "San Francisco State shuts down Chinese language program under federal pressure," 29 July 2019 Teachers are scheduled to report for an institute day the following morning. — Karen Berkowitz, chicagotribune.com, "North Shore School District 112, teachers union bring in mediator with contract close to expiring," 26 July 2019 The institute’s director, Richard Lapchick, has been issuing these report cards for decades. — Ann Killion, SFChronicle.com, "NBA leads in diversity: Just ask Lindsay Gottlieb," 19 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

India’s government, led by the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, decided Aug. 5 to downgrade the autonomy of Muslim-majority Kashmir and instituted a security lockdown and communications blackout to avoid violence. — Washington Post, "India plans massive hiring drive for govt workers in Kashmir," 30 Aug. 2019 The move is part of an industry-wide shift, according to the Washington Post, which notes that InterContinental Hotels Group took similar steps in July, while Hyatt is instituting the bulk dispensers at particular test properties. — Georgia Slater, PEOPLE.com, "Marriott to Get Rid of Travel-Size Toiletries in All Hotel Rooms: Here's What to Expect Instead," 29 Aug. 2019 Tinted visors haven’t been commonplace in the NFL since the league instituted the ban on them for safety reasons in 1998. — Jonathan Jones, SI.com, "NFL Allowing Players to Wear Oakley Prizm Clear Shields on Helmets This Season," 26 Aug. 2019 The official and unofficial digital campaigns supporting Duterte and the opposition simply adapted to new rules and instituted countermeasures to avoid being flagged by fact-checkers or the platforms. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "Why deplatforming 8chan can be effective," 8 Aug. 2019 If Kerr's Twitter account is any indication, USAB has hardly instituted a gag order on political expression. — Ben Golliver, courant.com, "Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr, two vocal Trump critics, hope Team USA is a ‘unifying’ force," 6 Aug. 2019 Following a mass shooting in 1996, Australia banned automatic and semi-automatic rifles and shotguns and instituted a national gun buyback program. — Lacey Wallace, The Conversation, "Could a national gun buyback program reduce the 393 million guns on America’s streets?," 4 Aug. 2019 After zebra mussels were discovered in Canyon Lake, the Canyon Lake Water Supply Corp. instituted a semiannual inspection schedule at its three water-treatment facilities on the lake. — Josh Baugh, ExpressNews.com, "Zebra mussel infestation spurs Canyon Lake water utility to ask customers to cut back," 25 July 2019 Hermann was convicted in August 2017 of the citation in Tuscaloosa Municipal Court and unsuccessfully appealed to Tuscaloosa Circuit Court, which instituted the $250 fine. — Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al.com, "Alabama appeals court sides with pro-life activist who challenged $250 ticket from Tuscaloosa cop," 12 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

8 Sep 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