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

• establishment
• foundation
• institute

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

In recent years, attacks on institutions like UnitedHealth and Ascension Health have led to months of operational disruption, massive financial costs and prolonged investigations. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025

The Trump administration has labeled multiple institutions in academia and the media industry — from Harvard and Columbia universities to NPR and PBS — as being leftist, Marxist, biased, and woke, and threatened funding cuts. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 3 May 2025

That prompted the administration to block more than $2 billion in federal grants to the Cambridge, Massachusetts, institution. —Seung Min Kim, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2025

What is involved in applying for a grant from a federal institution like NIH? —Brady Thomas West, The Conversation, 2 May 2025

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