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
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the revered music institution, which premiered on PBS in 1975.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
One institution saw its NPS increase by seven points after implementing personalized financial guidance.
—Jody Bhagat, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
The university is also on a U.S. Department of Justice list of 10 institutions accused of not protecting their Jewish students and faculty.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2025
Florida's New College was also among the academic institutions affected by DeSantis signing a bill that aimed to eliminate funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs from public universities and prohibit the teaching of critical race theory in general education courses.
—Sharareh Drury, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for institution
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
One institution saw its NPS increase by seven points after implementing personalized financial guidance.
—Jody Bhagat, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
The university is also on a U.S. Department of Justice list of 10 institutions accused of not protecting their Jewish students and faculty.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2025
Florida's New College was also among the academic institutions affected by DeSantis signing a bill that aimed to eliminate funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs from public universities and prohibit the teaching of critical race theory in general education courses.
—Sharareh Drury, People.com, 9 Apr. 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 18 Apr. 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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