institutionalized

adjective

in·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al·​ized ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-sh(ə-)nə-ˌlīzd 

1

a

: created and controlled by an established organization

institutionalized housing

institutionalized religion

b

: established as a common and accepted part of a system or culture

institutionalized beliefs and practices

2

: placed in the care of a specialized institution

At first, the researchers … confine their studies to serial killers, mass murderers, institutionalized sociopaths …

—Marilyn Stasio

Examples of institutionalized in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The report asserted that Amazon displays an institutionalized problem with understaffing during key commerce periods, which exacerbates risks to workers. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 17 July 2024

Wainwright suspects that number is higher than average because 87% of participants identified as belonging to a racial or ethnic minority group, which may leave patients predisposed to mental health issues due to institutionalized economic disparities. —Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2024

The political landscape is inequitable and favors deep pockets and institutionalized politicians – not me and not you. —Baltimore Sun Media, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2024

Stalin’s system proved unable to survive without him, despite having an institutionalized ruling party. —Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

institutionalized

adjective

in·​sti·​tu·​tion·​al·​ized

variants or chiefly British institutionalised

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shnəl-ˌīzd, -shən-ᵊl- 

: accustomed so firmly to the care and routine of an institution as to find independent life in the outside world difficult or unmanageable

Many prisoners who only need a drug or alcohol program become more institutionalized with each mandatory return.

—Robert L. Johnson, Undoing Time