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
Woods said the institution literally beat the humanity out of some boys, whittling away their value for human life.
—The Marshall Project, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
Set within a military institution, the film continues his exploration of gender and power, aiming to expose and humanize rigid, oppressive systems through personal and emotional storytelling.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 15 July 2025
This assessment informs priorities, enabling institutions to allocate resources effectively.
—Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
While some hope that these limits force institutions to lower their costs, that is a very unlikely outcome.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for institution
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The Marshall Project, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
Set within a military institution, the film continues his exploration of gender and power, aiming to expose and humanize rigid, oppressive systems through personal and emotional storytelling.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 15 July 2025
This assessment informs priorities, enabling institutions to allocate resources effectively.
—Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
While some hope that these limits force institutions to lower their costs, that is a very unlikely outcome.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for institution
Cite this Entry
“Institution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institution. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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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