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 Learn More About institution

Keep scrolling for more

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 No central bank or other institution has any say in its value, which is set entirely by people trading bitcoin and its value has moved wildly over time. — Marcos Aleman, USA TODAY, 11 June 2021 No central bank or other institution has any say in its value, which is set entirely by people trading bitcoin and its value has moved wildly over time. — Marcos Aleman And Christopher Sherman, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 June 2021 The biggest state institution in Ohio, and almost certainly the most politically powerful of the Big Ten’s 14 schools, was throwing its weight behind the push for NIL legislation in its state. — Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 11 June 2021 Yet researchers like Marion Koopmans, who oversees an institution that has conducted gain-of-function research, had an outsize voice in media. — Adam O’neal, WSJ, 11 June 2021 No central bank or other institution has any say in its value, which is set entirely by people trading bitcoin and its value has moved wildly over time. — Marcos Aleman, ajc, 11 June 2021 The protests over the tuition hike attest to tensions in the culture sector, heightened by the pandemic and expanding consciousness of racial injustice, that go far beyond Juilliard — starting with an institution next door. — Jennifer Gersten, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2021 The gala dinner features pairings from Penfolds, Australia’s 177-year old wine institution. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 June 2021 The gift is the latest in a string of major donations to UWM, which prides itself on straddling the dual mission of being both a top research university and an urban access institution. — Devi Shastri, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10 June 2021

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More About institution

Dictionary Entries Near institution

institutional economics

institutionalise

Statistics for institution

Last Updated

15 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Institution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institution. Accessed 20 Jun. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

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

Keep scrolling for more

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