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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Gloria Steinem attributed her mother's nervous breakdown before she was born, and her treatment in mental institutions and the workforce thereafter, as key to her interest in social injustices. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026 The institution deposits the money and uses it to help pay for scholarships, travel, facilities, salaries and sports that might produce little revenue of their own. — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 When the exhibition travels to the Des Moines Art Center next month, Favela will make a new piñata mural based on a work in that institution’s collection. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Other options for creating a pipeline to NASA, Merriam noted, include government scholarships for students to attend existing institutions in exchange for post-graduation civil service. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 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
  • Only about 70 have been observed or collected, the institute said in a statement.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The institute, which formally began domesticating Kernza in 2001, works with researchers and farmers around the world to develop perennial versions of wheat, rice, sorghum and other grain and oil seeds.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of institute
Noun
  • This was early November, three weeks before the famous formation change (to a 5-3-2) at Manchester City in their next away fixture which saved Leeds’ season.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Long before fast-food counters and coffee shops became fixtures of American life, luncheonettes gave generations of Americans an inexpensive place to grab a meal and helped change where women could eat, work and socialize in public.
    — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of fixture
Noun
  • Delbar and Mansur meet at an organization called PeaceMeals; like much of No God But Us, PeaceMeals is riotously funny.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • So much work has gone into getting bipartisan backing and support from the big power conferences that falling short would be a huge setback for the organization.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of organization
Noun
  • Human rights groups and advocates have denounced mass and arbitrary arrests, torture and disappearances in the Central American nation's prison system.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Ontario County First Assistant District Attorney James Nobles told the court that Arzuaga was at the center of the group accused of torturing Nordquist to death.
    — Madison Scott, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of group
Noun
  • Socialists are counting on the promise of a society where all needs are met by a benevolent government to convert voters to their ranks.
    — Nolan Finley The Detroit News, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The beauty of our Constitution is that regulatory tools are available to help cure problems in our society, not to change our economic system but to move toward a contented citizenry.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of society
Noun
  • This allows XPeng to run its physical AI foundation model directly on the robot rather than relying on remote computing or teleoperation for complex tasks.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The documentary is narrated by actor Gary Sinise, whose own direction in life was profoundly affected by the attacks and ultimately inspired the creation of his foundation to support veterans, first responders, and their families.
    — Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of foundation
Noun
  • Carter arranged for a pickup and distributed the clothing through the tenant association office.
    — Anne Kadet, Curbed, 10 Sep. 2026
  • If a document contains personal information that has no reason to appear publicly, ask whether the association can remove it, redact the information or restrict access.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of association
Noun
  • When the total of demerits exceeds 30, the food establishment fails.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Datassential found that 99% more coffee establishments sold Apple Pie flavors and 49% more sold Caramel Apple compared to a year ago — in contrast, only 37% more establishments sold pumpkin spice lattes.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 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 15 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on institution

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about institution

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