in·sti·tute
ˈin(t)-stə-ˌtüt 
-ˌtyüt
plural institutes
: something that is instituted: such as
a
: an organization for the promotion of a cause : association
a research institute
b
: an educational institution and especially one devoted to technical fields
c
: a usually brief intensive course of instruction on selected topics relating to a particular field
Teachers attended a summer institute and a series of one-day seminars during the school year.—
Tom Loveless
Tom Loveless
d(1)
: an elementary principle recognized as authoritative
If the students in their first one or two years were taught the institutes of medicine, … it would be perfectly easy to have those subjects taught thoroughly and effectually …—Thomas Henry Huxley
Thomas Henry Huxley
(2)
institutes plural
: a collection of such principles and precepts
especially
: a legal compendium
instituted; instituting
1
a
: to originate and get established : organize
b
: to set going : inaugurate
instituting an investigation
2
: to establish in a position or office
Examples of institute in a Sentence
Noun
They founded an institute for research into the causes of mental illness.
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Verb
By instituting these programs, we hope to improve our children's education.
They have instituted new policies to increase public safety.
Recent Examples on the Web
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Investment is needed to cover costs of running a quality program, pre-K teachers should be paid the same as their K-12 peers and access should be expanded through partnerships with private child care providers, according to the institute.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
Zach Wichter, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
In key industries, big companies have increasingly instituted in-office requirements of 4-5 days a week – much to the consternation of their employees.
—Victoria Baeza Garcia, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for institute
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Noun
The business was initially started as a research institute, and its president, Daniela Amodei, has said that none of the founders wanted to start a company.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Investment is needed to cover costs of running a quality program, pre-K teachers should be paid the same as their K-12 peers and access should be expanded through partnerships with private child care providers, according to the institute.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
The agency had instituted the ban late Tuesday effectively shutting down operations at the city's airport.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
In key industries, big companies have increasingly instituted in-office requirements of 4-5 days a week – much to the consternation of their employees.
—Victoria Baeza Garcia, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for institute
Cite this Entry
“Institute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/institute. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
institute
1 of 2 verb
in·sti·tute
ˈin(t)-stə-ˌt(y)üt
instituted; instituting
1
: to set up : establish
instituted a new policy
2
: to set going : begin
institute an investigation
institute
2 of 2 noun1
: a basic principle
2
a
: an organization for the support of a cause : association
an institute for scientific research
b
: a place for study usually in a special field
an art institute
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