noun
- an organization, establishment, foundation, society, or the like, devoted to the promotion of a particular cause or program, especially one of a public, educational, or charitable character: This college is the best institution of its kind.
- the building devoted to such work.
- a public or private place for the care or confinement of inmates, especially mental patients or other persons with physical or mental disabilities.
- Sociology. a well-established and structured pattern of behavior or of relationships that is accepted as a fundamental part of a culture, as marriage: the institution of the family.
- any established law, custom, etc.
- any familiar, long-established person, thing, or practice; fixture.
- the act of instituting or setting up; establishment: the institution of laws.
- Ecclesiastical.
- the origination of the Eucharist, and enactment of its observance, by Christ.
- the investment of a member of the clergy with a spiritual charge.
noun
- the act of instituting
- an organization or establishment founded for a specific purpose, such as a hospital, church, company, or college
- the building where such an organization is situated
- an established custom, law, or relationship in a society or community
- Also called: institutional investor a large organization, such as an insurance company, bank, or pension fund, that has substantial sums to invest on a stock exchange
- informal a constant feature or practiceJones’ drink at the bar was an institution
- the appointment or admission of an incumbent to an ecclesiastical office or pastoral charge
- Christian theol the creation of a sacrament by Christ, esp the Eucharist
c.1400, “action of establishing or founding (a system of government, a religious order, etc.),” from Old French institucion “foundation; thing established,” from Latin institutionem (nominative institutio) “disposition, arrangement; instruction, education,” noun of state from institutus (see institute). Meaning “established law or practice” is from 1550s. Meaning “establishment or organization for the promotion of some charity” is from 1707.