institution

noun

in·​sti·​tu·​tion ˌin(t)-stə-ˈtü-shən How to pronounce institution (audio)
-ˈtyü-
1
a
: an established organization or corporation (such as a bank or university) especially of a public character
financial institutions
b
: a facility or establishment in which people (such as the sick or needy) live and receive care typically in a confined setting and often without individual consent
… the testator disinherited her siblings over their efforts to have her committed to a mental institution in the wake of several suicide attempts.William M. McGovern, Jr.
c
: a significant practice, relationship, or organization in a society or culture
the institution of marriage
also : something or someone firmly associated with a place or thing
she has become an institution in the theater
2
: an act of instituting : establishment

Examples of institution in a Sentence

banks and other financial institutions an institution of higher learning Family visits are a Thanksgiving institution. She's not interested in the institution of marriage. The play has become something of an institution on Broadway. the institution of new rules and regulations
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That’s a sharp contrast with major global exchanges, where institutions lead activity — on the New York Stock Exchange, for example, individual investors make up only 20%–25% of trading volume. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2025 Borbonese took over Milanese restaurant-institution Bice to unveil its spring collection, designed by the in-house design team after the departure of former creative directors Francesca Monaco and Salar Bicheranloo of hip sustainable accessories label TheMoirè. Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025 But even his mistakes were committed in his desire to protect the integrity of the institution he’d been appointed to lead. Billy Ray, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025 While Douglass Morgan did not attend an HBCU herself, her organic excitement can be attributed to her passion for the Black community and recognizing the importance in supporting the legacies of the historic institutions on a national scale. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for institution

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of institution was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Institution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institution. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

institution

noun
in·​sti·​tu·​tion ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən How to pronounce institution (audio)
1
: the act of instituting : establishment
2
: an established custom, practice, or law in a society or culture
the institution of marriage
turkey dinner is a Thanksgiving institution
3
a
: an established organization or corporation and especially one of a public nature
educational institutions
a financial institution
institutional
-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
adjective
institutionally
adverb

Medical Definition

institution

noun
in·​sti·​tu·​tion ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən How to pronounce institution (audio)
: a facility or establishment in which people (such as the sick or needy) live and receive care typically in a confined setting and often without individual consent
a mental institution

Legal Definition

institution

noun
in·​sti·​tu·​tion
1
: the act of instituting
2
: a significant practice, relationship, or organization in a society or culture
the institution of marriage
3
: an established organization or corporation especially of a public character
specifically : a facility for the treatment or training of persons with mental deficiencies

More from Merriam-Webster on institution

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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