institution

noun

in·​sti·​tu·​tion ˌin(t)-stə-ˈtü-shən How to pronounce institution (audio)
-ˈtyü-
1
a
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As passed by the House in late May, the One Big Beautiful Bill (its Trumpian name) increased the current 1.4% excise tax on college endowments’ investment earnings to as high as 21% for the richest institutions—those with endowments worth more than $2 million a student. Emma Whitford, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025 His dismissive attitude emanates from Oasis’ heyday, when the band was being feted regularly with awards primarily from British institutions. Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 5 July 2025 Wallsend is a footballing institution in the North East, with Peter Beardsley, Alan Shearer and Michael Carrick all having come through their ranks. Paul Taylor, New York Times, 4 July 2025 Trump is Trump, but without the Republican Party’s capitulation and active compliance, his reckless assault on American institutions and millions of its most vulnerable people would not be possible. Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for institution

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Institution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institution. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

institution

noun
in·​sti·​tu·​tion ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən How to pronounce institution (audio)
1
: the act of instituting : establishment
2
: an established custom, practice, or law in a society or culture
the institution of marriage
turkey dinner is a Thanksgiving institution
3
a
: an established organization or corporation and especially one of a public nature
educational institutions
a financial institution
institutional
-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
adjective
institutionally
adverb

Medical Definition

institution

noun
in·​sti·​tu·​tion ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən How to pronounce institution (audio)
: 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

Legal Definition

institution

noun
in·​sti·​tu·​tion
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

More from Merriam-Webster on institution

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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