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
As Bitcoin adoption grows, more and more institutions will hold larger amounts of Bitcoin, and there is a legitimate question of whether such institutions (or even wealthy individuals) should be holding their private keys.
—Korok Ray, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
But this year, that's when the department began testing the form with a limited number of students and institutions.
—Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 21 Nov. 2024
Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, meaning business stops across most federal institutions and some private businesses.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Trump has warred with these institutions for years.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for institution 
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Korok Ray, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
But this year, that's when the department began testing the form with a limited number of students and institutions.
—Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 21 Nov. 2024
Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, meaning business stops across most federal institutions and some private businesses.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Trump has warred with these institutions for years.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for institution
Dictionary Entries Near institution
Cite this Entry
“Institution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institution. Accessed 1 Dec. 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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