institution

noun

in·​sti·​tu·​tion ˌin(t)-stə-ˈtü-shən 

-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

Synonyms of institution

• institute
• group
• foundation
• 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

Almost exactly a year ago, another rock-era institution — the 111-year-old Morrison Hotel, featured on the cover of the Doors’ fifth studio album — was engulfed in flames after a series of smaller fires. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026

The liberal impulse — insistence that injustice isn’t cured by patience, willingness to reform systems that calcify into maladministration — can keep institutions from becoming the archives of old hierarchies. —Robert T.f. Downes, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2026

Legal and Regulatory Concerns Beyond platform- and institution-related delays, legal and regulatory expectations across countries can create additional issues. —Jason Phillips, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2026

Or President Abraham Lincoln, who in 1865 led victory against the Confederacy and its attempt to destroy our nation through an armed rebellion designed to preserve the institution of human slavery. —Douglas Letter, Time, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing institution

• correctional institution
• counter-institution
• financial institution
• institution of higher learning
• penal institution

Rhymes for institution

• absolution
• allocution
• attribution
• comminution
• constitution
• contribution
• convolution
• destitution
• devolution
• diminution
• dissolution
• distribution

Kids Definition

institution

noun

in·​sti·​tu·​tion ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən 

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

b

: asylum sense 3

institutional

-shnəl, 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

institutionally

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

institution

noun

in·​sti·​tu·​tion ˌin(t)-stə-ˈt(y)ü-shən 

: 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