institution

noun

in·sti·tu·tion | \ ˌin(t)-stə-ˈtü-shən

, -ˈtyü- \

Definition of institution

1a : 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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing institution Learn More About institution

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 See More

Recent Examples on the Web But whatever happens next, freezing the sticker price has done more than hit the reset button for one institution: Its leaps as well as its stumbles offer a decade’s worth of lessons on affordability. — Lee Lawrence, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Aug. 2022 There are flaws within the original league, just like any institution. — Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Aug. 2022 No institution leveraged that connection more adroitly than Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, the entity created in 1999 by merging the Hong Kong stock exchange and the Hong Kong Futures Exchange. — Clay Chandler, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2022 This Jackson institution is approaching the big 4-0, with decades of history and deep community roots to its credit. — Jim Beaugez, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2022 All six institutions submitted responses, which the Treasurer reviewed alongside each institution’s public policy statements. — James Freeman, WSJ, 28 July 2022 This institution that aims to project an aura of stability is not beyond surprising us. — Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 24 July 2022 Each institution must meet the council’s criteria to determine if the standards of their program are adequately equipped to better the efforts of public health work. — Kalyn Dunkins | Kdunkins@al.com, al, 23 July 2022 But no city can sleep easy, and no cultural institution is safe. — New York Times, 15 July 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'institution.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

14 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Institution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institution. Accessed 16 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for institution

institution

noun

in·sti·tu·tion | \ ˌin-stə-ˈtü-shən

, -ˈtyü- \

Kids Definition of institution

1 : the beginning or establishment of something the institution of new rules

2 : an established custom, practice, or law Turkey dinners are a Thanksgiving institution.

3 : an established organization business institutions

institution

noun

in·sti·tu·tion | \ ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən

Medical Definition of institution

: 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

institution

noun

in·sti·tu·tion

Legal Definition of institution

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