DictionaryAI

institution

noun
in-sti-TOO-shuhn/ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃn̩/UKin-sti-TYOO-shuhn/ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃn̩/

Pluralinstitutions

8 meanings of institution

Practice

  1. 1
    organizationnouncountable
    An important organization set up for a special purpose, such as a school, bank, or charity.

    Like an old school that everyone in town has trusted for generations.

    The local college has been a respected institution for over a century.

    Many institutions offer free help to families in need.

    UsageOften financial institution for a bank or educational institution for a school.

    Similarorganization, foundation, body

  2. 2
    nouncountable
    A custom or way of doing things that a society has followed for a long time.

    Like a tradition that people keep doing because everyone always has.

    Marriage is an institution found in almost every culture.

    The family is one of the oldest institutions in human society.

    UsageOften said as the institution of marriage.

    Similarcustom, practice, tradition, convention

    Note
  3. 3
    residential carenouncountable
    A place like a mental hospital, care home, or prison where people live for care or are kept.

    Like a locked building people cannot leave on their own.

    He spent two years in an institution after the accident.

    The state runs several institutions for people who need long-term care.

    UsagePeople live or are kept in an institution.

  4. 4
    local landmarknouncolloquialcountable
    A place or person that has been around so long that everyone knows and loves it.

    Like a favorite old shop that everyone in town knows and loves.

    That diner is a local institution.

    The corner bookshop became an institution among students.

    UsageOften a local institution: a place everyone in town knows.

    Note
  5. 5
    buildingnouncountable
    The building or buildings where a long-running organization is based.

    The old institution on the hill was being repaired.

    Visitors toured the institution's grand halls.

    Similarbuilding, premises

  6. 6
    setting upnoununcountable
    The act of starting or setting up something, like a rule or system.

    The institution of new safety rules made the factory safer.

    Workers welcomed the institution of shorter shifts.

    UsageSay the institution of a new rule.

    Similarintroduction, establishment, creation, founding, adoption

    Oppositeabolition, repeal, elimination

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 7
    nounobsoletecountable
    A textbook or set of basic rules used to teach a subject.
    Note
  2. 8
    noun
    A church ceremony in which a bishop gives a priest the care of a parish.

Practice

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Origin

It came through Old French from Latin institūtiō, from instituō, meaning "to set up." That verb came from in- ("in, on") plus statuō ("to set up, establish").

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 5 facts

  • Institution came through Old French from Latin institūtiō. en.wiktionary.org
  • Institūtiō is a noun meaning disposition, arrangement, custom, instruction, or education; instituō is the verb meaning "to set up." en.wiktionary.org
  • Institūtiō derives from instituō plus -tiō; instituō derives from in- plus statuō. en.wiktionary.org
  • Latin in- means "in, on." en.wiktionary.org
  • Latin statuō means "to set up, establish." en.wiktionary.org