institution
Americannoun
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an organization, establishment, foundation, society, or the like, devoted to the promotion of a particular cause or program, especially one of a public, educational, or charitable character.
This college is the best institution of its kind.
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the building occupied by such an establishment.
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a public or private place for the care or confinement of inmates, especially mental patients or other persons with physical or mental disabilities.
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Sociology. a well-established and structured pattern of behavior or of relationships that is accepted as a fundamental part of a culture, as marriage.
the institution of the family.
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any established law, custom, etc.
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any familiar, long-established person, thing, or practice; fixture.
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the act of instituting or setting up; establishment.
the institution of laws.
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Ecclesiastical.
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the origination of the Eucharist, and enactment of its observance, by Christ.
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the investment of a member of the clergy with a spiritual charge.
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noun
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the act of instituting
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an organization or establishment founded for a specific purpose, such as a hospital, church, company, or college
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the building where such an organization is situated
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an established custom, law, or relationship in a society or community
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Also called: institutional investor. a large organization, such as an insurance company, bank, or pension fund, that has substantial sums to invest on a stock exchange
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informal a constant feature or practice
Jones' drink at the bar was an institution
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the appointment or admission of an incumbent to an ecclesiastical office or pastoral charge
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Christian theol the creation of a sacrament by Christ, esp the Eucharist
Other Word Forms
- counterinstitution noun
- institutionary adjective
- noninstitution noun
- reinstitution noun
Etymology
Origin of institution
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin institūtiōn-, stem of institūtiō; equivalent to institute + -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Since Election Day 2024, 88 special elections featuring candidates from both major parties have taken place for institutions including state legislatures and the U.S.
From Salon
"Anyone who does experience this should contact their banking institution to address any concerns about payments they may have made."
From BBC
Make sure you get the hang of handling the things your partner usually does, and that institutions recognize your ability to do so.
Sherrell and colleagues from Rutgers and partner institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom chose to gather direct field measurements instead.
From Science Daily
Commercial ships, US- or Israeli-linked businesses or cultural institutions, or a wide range of other vulnerable locations could be at risk.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
