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
OpenAI worked with education researchers and learning scientists from more than 40 institutions worldwide in developing the tool.
—Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
The vote has no legal authority but sends a symbolic message about the direction employees feel the institution is headed.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
At both flagship institutions, faculty senates have stopped the university from duplicating the same program in a different department by convening representatives from all groups and advised on how policies could inadvertently impact teaching or students.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The institution has made cold-water immersion tubs available at practices and games, installed readily-accessible automatic defibrillators at all venues, added more recovery breaks and provided enhanced instruction for its athletic trainers.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 29 July 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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Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
The vote has no legal authority but sends a symbolic message about the direction employees feel the institution is headed.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
At both flagship institutions, faculty senates have stopped the university from duplicating the same program in a different department by convening representatives from all groups and advised on how policies could inadvertently impact teaching or students.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The institution has made cold-water immersion tubs available at practices and games, installed readily-accessible automatic defibrillators at all venues, added more recovery breaks and provided enhanced instruction for its athletic trainers.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 29 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 7 Aug. 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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