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
Dan Avery, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
This was largely due to the Green Revolution, a broad campaign by governments and research institutes to provide high-yield varieties of wheat and rice, along with pesticides and mechanized agriculture, to developing countries.
—The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
Grace Hase, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
After Iger came back as Disney’s CEO, in early 2023, the exec instituted layoffs at the company and dismantled Chapek’s management structure by creating Disney Entertainment, headed by co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for institute
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Noun
The Center for American Progress, a left-leaning policy institute, questioned those figures and pointed to analyses predicting a more modest $331 to $748 increase.
—Dan Avery, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
This was largely due to the Green Revolution, a broad campaign by governments and research institutes to provide high-yield varieties of wheat and rice, along with pesticides and mechanized agriculture, to developing countries.
—The Conversation, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Nexstar Media Group’s debate, which is being held on April 22, instituted a 5% polling threshold that invited only Swalwell, Hilton, Bianco, Steyer and Porter to the debate stage.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
After Iger came back as Disney’s CEO, in early 2023, the exec instituted layoffs at the company and dismantled Chapek’s management structure by creating Disney Entertainment, headed by co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Mar. 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 22 Mar. 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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