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
Probably those who trust institutions the most, and who can sacrifice some efficiency for an outdated but fancy stamp of approval—in other words, the children of the wealthy and educated.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 5 May 2026
Over the next 25 years, the synth-heavy quartet grew into an institution of Canadian rock by steadily tweaking its sleek dance-rock sound.
—Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 4 May 2026
Since her election in 2022, Meloni has tried to reshape the country’s arts and cultural institutions by appointing a host of new, politically conservative leaders.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026
In the study, five institutions – immigration, housing, labor, public benefits, and education – are broken down into present-day disparities, the policies that produced them.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for institution
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Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 5 May 2026
Over the next 25 years, the synth-heavy quartet grew into an institution of Canadian rock by steadily tweaking its sleek dance-rock sound.
—Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 4 May 2026
Since her election in 2022, Meloni has tried to reshape the country’s arts and cultural institutions by appointing a host of new, politically conservative leaders.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026
In the study, five institutions – immigration, housing, labor, public benefits, and education – are broken down into present-day disparities, the policies that produced them.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for institution
Cite this Entry
“Institution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institution. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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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