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

Les Seskin of Boca Raton recently received an honorary fellowship from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology during a special awards ceremony in recognition of his tireless support to the institution. — Sergio Carmona, Jewish Journal, "Boca Raton resident receives honorary fellowship from Technion," 11 July 2018 Asked to respond to the letter, the Yale Law School provided this statement: Yale Law School is a nonpartisan institution. — Valerie Strauss, Washington Post, "Yale students and alumni blast law school for praising Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s choice for Supreme Court," 11 July 2018 The court is an institution with a history, and that history generally must be followed, with some exceptions. — NBC News, "Why Roe v. Wade is likely not in grave danger no matter whom Trump nominates," 5 July 2018 The Capital is an institution in Maryland's capital and was one of the last dailies to switch from publishing in the afternoon to mornings. — Matthew Barakat, The Christian Science Monitor, "Capital Gazette publishes paper day after shooting," 29 June 2018 The Capital is an institution in Maryland's capital and was one of the last dailies to switch from publishing in the afternoon to mornings. — CBS News, ""Speechless": Capital Gazette opinion page left blank after deadly shooting," 29 June 2018 Deutsche Bank was, notably, the only important financial institution that would work with Trump after his bankruptcies in the 1990s, lending him over $1 billion. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, "Trump’s relationship with Justice Kennedy sounds shady in this new report.," 29 June 2018 As the Atlantic reported last year, the rollback of DOJ oversight of local law enforcement means insurance companies may be the only institutions left with any leverage over police departments. — Maya Dukmasova, Chicago Reader, "News / Criminal Justice Should Chicago cops have to carry misconduct insurance?," 29 June 2018 The Capital is an institution in Maryland's capital and was one of the last dailies to switch from publishing in the afternoon to mornings. — Matthew Barakat, Fox News, "Staffers resolve to put out paper despite fatal shooting," 29 June 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

Phrases Related to institution

correctional facilities/institutions

correctional institution

financial institution

institution of higher learning

mental institution

penal institution

Statistics for institution

Last Updated

7 Oct 2018

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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