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.
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
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
Also, a person or an institution can look ridiculous in trying to be cool.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 4 Apr. 2024
Editors’ Picks Image Over time, though, the institution’s strengths have undergone erosion.
—Holland Cotter, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The environmental liberal arts institution has been a part of the Ashland community since 1892.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
This includes not only the National Library but also the National School of Arts, which has influenced Haitian art around the world through its development of artists, and the École Normale Supérieure, the oldest teaching training institution in the country.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
In Tacoma, Washington, residents came together for an interfaith solidarity event after a series of attacks rocked faith institutions, including an Islamic center targeted by an arson attack and a Buddhist nun being assaulted.
—USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
The church is among the few institutions with the credibility to challenge the security policies of the popular president.
—Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
Some women have likewise celebrated freeing themselves from an institution that often shackled them to cooking, laundry and second-class status at a cost to their careers.
—Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024
These have led to the displacement and death of many people and the destruction of their cultural artifacts, institutions and homes.
—Sharareh Drury, Variety, 26 Mar. 2024
Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 4 Apr. 2024
Editors’ Picks Image Over time, though, the institution’s strengths have undergone erosion.
—Holland Cotter, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
The environmental liberal arts institution has been a part of the Ashland community since 1892.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
This includes not only the National Library but also the National School of Arts, which has influenced Haitian art around the world through its development of artists, and the École Normale Supérieure, the oldest teaching training institution in the country.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
In Tacoma, Washington, residents came together for an interfaith solidarity event after a series of attacks rocked faith institutions, including an Islamic center targeted by an arson attack and a Buddhist nun being assaulted.
—USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
The church is among the few institutions with the credibility to challenge the security policies of the popular president.
—Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
Some women have likewise celebrated freeing themselves from an institution that often shackled them to cooking, laundry and second-class status at a cost to their careers.
—Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024
These have led to the displacement and death of many people and the destruction of their cultural artifacts, institutions and homes.
—Sharareh Drury, Variety, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'institution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near institution
Cite this Entry
“Institution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institution. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
institutional
adjective
-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
institutionally
adverb
-ē
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
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