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 Both Columbia and Brown universities recently signed settlements with the Trump administration to restore federal grants blocked over similar claims, restoring hundreds of millions of dollars to those institutions. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025 The museum will reopen with a survey of Tom Lloyd; an exhibition of works on paper by previous artists-in-residence; the first installment of a rotating presentation of works from its 9,000-piece collection; and a show examining the institution’s history through archival photographs and ephemera. — News Desk, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2025 Indeed, one of the reasons some men left the League was their perception that the institution treated women too preciously and that the school administration labored to cultivate a puritanical atmosphere in a place that was by nature loose and raucous. — Anne Halsey, JSTOR Daily, 6 Aug. 2025 In tumultuous times, as institutions and figureheads crumble under the pressures and corruption of modern living, McNally appears to change with the tide of the city. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025 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
  • The institute’s pitch is modeled after Seattle’s JumpStart 2020 payroll expense tax but the group roughly doubled the highest rate there to come up with its tax dollar estimates for Chicago.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
  • The institute’s purchase of the Birkenstock property is its second major investment in the vicinity in little more than a year.
    — Richard Halstead, Mercury News, 31 July 2025
Definition of institute
Noun
  • True to the fundamental feeling of the collection, each of these items are quickly becoming lasting fixtures in Staudinger’s own wardrobe.
    — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 30 July 2025
  • Twice during Brendan Rodgers’ reign as manager, pre-season tours to Asia also involved fixtures in Australia.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 30 July 2025
Definition of fixture
Noun
  • Inside Southwest Detroit is a collection of different organizations that use arts and culture as community development tools, and runs a blog called the Southwest Detroiter.
    — Aurora Sousanis, Freep.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • While the annual Rides N’ School Supplies car show remains the centerpiece, the organization’s reach extends far beyond a single day.
    — Melissa Noel, Essence, 2 Aug. 2025
Definition of organization
Noun
  • Videos released by militant groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad this week showed Israeli hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski in a visibly fragile state.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025
  • And while the group remediated asbestos and went through architectural, structural and civil engineering work, historic tax credits couldn't be fully secured, making the project unworkable.
    — Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 2 Aug. 2025
Definition of group
Noun
  • The task now is clear: invest in education, demand higher standards, and rebuild trust from the ground up – because the future of health, sustainability, and society may well be dependent on it.
    — Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • In the post-Yugoslavia society, there are still traditionalistic values.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
Definition of society
Noun
  • Hardware is the foundation of AI infrastructure, so securing it should be a top priority.
    — Yuriy Bulygin, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • For a chipmunk that is causing structural damage, such as undermining the foundation of stairs or walkways, rat-sized snap traps baited with peanut butter are effective, says Anderson.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025
Definition of foundation
Noun
  • The practice doesn’t work: Virtually every major medical association denounces it as junk science.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
  • So long as the kids are unaccounted for, our minds are free to make whatever associations might arise.
    — Peter Debruge, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
Definition of association
Noun
  • The Israeli security establishment opposes this land grab.
    — Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The 2002 plan, though opposed by Israel and sidestepped by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco through their establishment of diplomatic ties with Israel via the Abraham Accords, continues to serve broadly as the basis for the Arab League's position.
    — Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
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 13 Aug. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on institution

Nglish: Translation of institution for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about institution

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