institution

noun

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈtü-shən How to pronounce institution (audio)
Definition of institutionnext
1
as in institute
a public organization with a particular purpose or function a charitable institution devoted to raising funds to feed the hungry

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2
as in fixture
a person who has long been associated with a place or activity an actor who has been a Broadway institution for decades

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3
as in organization
a group of persons formally joined together for some common interest an institution devoted to studying social problems and proposing solutions for them

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of institution Technically, the court order from the Louisiana judge noted that a 'member institution' would have to enter his name into the database. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 California State University, East Bay is also a public institution enrolling roughly 13,000-15,000 students and is known for being one of the more ethnically diverse universities in the country. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 Not long ago, millions of people like them could have been segregated in institutions. — August 21, NPR, 21 Aug. 2026 Getty Images Surging long‑term Treasury yields are reshaping the banking landscape, rewarding institutions with stable deposits and short‑duration assets while exposing those with fixed‑rate books and fragile funding. — Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for institution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for institution
  1. institute
  2. fixture
  3. organization
  4. group
  5. society
  6. foundation
  7. association
  8. establishment
Noun
  • One place to start is asking what specific employee data your organization collects, said Aiha Nguyen, director of the Labor Futures Initiative at Data & Society, a nonprofit institute studying the impacts of technology.
    — Cathy Bussewitz, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Oeko-Tex operates a global certification system through 17 independent textile and leather testing institutes in Europe and Japan.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of institute
Noun
  • The club will pay tribute to Quevin on Sunday, with a period of applause in the 25th minute of the fixture against Burnley.
    — Gregg Evans, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Povich has become such an enduring pop culture fixture that he was asked to spoof himself before a late-night audience of millions, but handed off the honor to a beloved Saturday Night Live alum.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of fixture
Noun
  • Only if the issue is not corrected within that timeframe will the organization be administratively dissolved.
    — Megan De Mar, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Cush addressed the allegations at Monday’s board meeting, saying the district has no contracts with the Alive Center and the board members have not benefited from their involvement with both organizations.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of organization
Noun
  • For all the chatter about the Georgia wide receiver position this month, Kirby Smart notes that success for that group can’t be self-made.
    — Connor Riley, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Leo July 23 – August 22 The fun plan in the group chat may need a little more flexibility today.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of group
Noun
  • British universities have been working to hire more academics from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds so that their faculties better reflect the broader society.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Women heavily lead or outnumber men in high-engagement categories like true crime, relationships, self-improvement, and society-and-culture.
    — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of society
Noun
  • Beneath that sits a high-density support-foam foundation designed to limit sagging and compression over time, along with a textured anti-slip base to reduce movement on the bed frame.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Aid by Trade introduced its Regenerative Cotton Standard in 2023 with the goal of promoting soil health and biodiversity, and the foundation said that program has expanded in India and Tanzania.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of foundation
Noun
  • There was also a strong association with weight before pregnancy.
    — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In 1982, walking through a terminal at Newark International Airport in New Jersey, the Kissingers were accosted by Ellen Kaplan, a follower of Lyndon LaRouche, a cult leader with both Marxist and right-wing associations.
    — Robert D. Mcfadden, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of association
Noun
  • Meanwhile Eddie’s rise through the criminal underworld is mirrored by his rise through the British establishment, bringing him into the circle of a new oleaginous aristo played by Hugh Bonneville, who is joining the cast.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Roaches, rodent droppings and food stored at unsafe temperatures were found at Tarrant County food establishments during the latest round of health inspections, according to the inspection report.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of establishment

Browse Nearby Words

instituting
institution
institutions
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Cite this Entry

“Institution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/institution. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on institution

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about institution

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