institution

noun

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

, -ˈtyü-\

Definition of institution

1 : an act of instituting : establishment

2a : 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

b : an established organization or corporation (such as a bank or university) especially of a public character financial institutions

c : 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.

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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

With a constant revolution of fine art exhibitions and agricultural displays, this institution really puts the culture in horticulture. — Kaitlyn Wylde, Vogue, "What’s So Great About Great Barrington? A Weekend Guide to the Quietly Cool Berkshire Town," 25 Oct. 2018 Unfortunately, Campbell’s experience as gay student at a private, religious institution is far from unique. — Charlotte West, Teen Vogue, "How Title IX Exemptions Allow Religious Colleges to Discriminate Against LGBTQ Students," 15 Oct. 2018 FIG Fresh and local drives the cuisine at this Charleston institution. — Sienna Fantozzi, House Beautiful, "Your Ultimate Guide To A Long Weekend In Charleston," 9 Aug. 2018 The bitcoin network allows anyone to move millions of dollars across the world without any in-person meetings, and without the approval of any financial institutions. — BostonGlobe.com, "How Russian spies hid behind bitcoin in hacking campaign," 14 July 2018 Underbelly, one of Shepherd's many culinary institutions, is being remodeled as steakhouse Georgia James. — Jay R. Jordan, Houston Chronicle, "Woman crashes Mercedes into Underbelly restaurant in Montrose," 11 July 2018 Such organizations had assimilationist goals and preferred to work alongside of existing institutions rather than disrupt them. — Sascha Cohen, Smithsonian, "How Gay Activists Challenged the Politics of Civility," 10 July 2018 This Phoenix institution is run by Elizabeth White, the grandmother of Larry White, who owns Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles. — Kellie Hwang, azcentral, "It's National Fried Chicken Day! Phoenix restaurants for best fried chicken," 6 July 2018 Having lived through those difficult days, the presence and success of these institutions remind me, almost daily, that all my living has not been in vain. — Gail Mitchell, Billboard, "Stax Legend Al Bell on Black Music's Living Legacy and Power: 'My Life's Mission Is to Make Sure It Doesn't Die'," 6 July 2018

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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Dictionary Entries near institution

institutional economics

institutionalise

Statistics for institution

Last Updated

11 Mar 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for institution

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

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More Definitions for institution

institution

noun

English Language Learners Definition of institution

: an established organization

: a place where an organization takes care of people for a usually long period of time

: a custom, practice, or law that is accepted and used by many people

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

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

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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