institution

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noun in·sti·tu·tion \ ˌin(t)-stə-ˈtü-shən , -ˈtyü- \

Definition of institution

1 :an act of instituting :establishment

2 a :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.

See institution defined for English-language learners

See institution defined for kids

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 of institution from the Web

Friday’s decree represents the latest purge of state institutions—an act Erdogan claims is necessary to control security threats and prevent another insurgence.

— aria bendix, The Atlantic, "Turkey Dismisses Thousands of Police, Civil Servants, and Academics," 14 July 2017
But while most companies, organisations, and institutions are looking to cut costs, Wimbledon has stuck to its mantra.

— sebastian anthony, Ars Technica, "Wimbledon 2017: The tech behind the world’s top tennis tournament," 13 July 2017
Further, universities and research institutions often have professionally trained science communicators and media specialists that can help researchers share with the public some of their published cutting-edge scientific discoveries.

— esther ngumbi, Scientific American Blog Network, "Scientists Should Talk Directly to the Public," 10 July 2017
But a trip to Portland is not complete without a visit to Encore, Rita Prout Farley’s Arts District institution of three decades and one of the largest, and best-kept, selections of vintage for men and women throughout New England—still.

— alyssa giacobbe, CNT, "How Portland, Maine Keeps Getting Cooler," 6 July 2017
The most frightening aspect of Mr. Trump’s approach is the seeming contempt for the rules and institutions that have underpinned global trade since World War II.

— eduardo porter, New York Times, "Trump’s Trade Choice: Follow the Postwar Order or Blow It Up," 4 July 2017
The FICO Score Open Access program enables a variety of financial institutions to provide free scores to their customers, too.

— susan tompor, Detroit Free Press, "Consumers on a healthier credit footing but unsure on their scores," 1 July 2017
There is, after all, a branch of Memphis institution Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken in town now.

— andy staples, SI.com, "Where to eat, drink in Austin," 30 June 2017
Little Dinos can be found throughout Elgin and South Elgin in restaurants, cultural institutions and other businesses and during July people are encouraged to participate in the Little Dino Scavenger Hunt.

— Elgin Courier-News, "Little Dinos Scavenger Hunt runs through July in Elgin, South Elgin," 30 June 2017

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.

First Known Use of institution

15th century

institution Synonyms

Synonyms

establishment, foundation, institute

Related Words

body, collective, group; corporation, enterprise; charity, philanthropy; think tank

INSTITUTION Defined for English Language Learners

institution

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noun

Definition of institution for English Language Learners

: 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

INSTITUTION Defined for Kids

institution

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noun in·sti·tu·tion \ ˌin-stə-ˈtü-shən , -ˈtyü- \

Definition of institution for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

institution

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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

Law Dictionary

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