institution
ihn-stih-CHOO-shuhn
Institution (noun) means a large, established organization, especially one dedicated to education, public service, or a similar purpose. Example: “The university is one of the oldest institutions in the country.”
noun
1
A large, established organization, especially one dedicated to education, public service, or a similar purpose.
"The university is one of the oldest institutions in the country."
"The local library is a valued institution that serves people of every age."
"Many people still trust the bank as a sound financial institution."
2
A long-standing custom, tradition, or practice within a society.
"Marriage is a social institution found in nearly every culture."
"Afternoon tea is a cherished British institution that families still enjoy at weekends."
"The village treats its summer fair as an institution that no one would dare cancel."
3
A facility where people are confined or cared for, such as a hospital, prison, or care home.
"After the accident he spent months in a rehabilitation institution."
"Her grandfather now lives in a quiet institution where nurses look after him around the clock."
"The young man was sent to an institution for treatment and spent a year there."
How to use institution
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA well-established organization, tradition, or the building that houses one.
Common mistake
Can sound clinical when used for care facilities ("mental institution") — modern usage often prefers more specific, less stigmatizing terms.
Common pairings
financial institution
social institution
mental institution
become an institution
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Word forms
- Plural
- institutions
Fill the gap
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The university is one of the oldest _____ in the country.
Etymology
From Latin institutio, "arrangement, custom," from instituere ("to set up") — equivalent to institute + -ion.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for institution
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for institution →
Frequently asked questions
What does “institution” mean?
The word “institution” means a large, established organization, especially one dedicated to education, public service, or a similar purpose. In plain terms, a well-established organization, tradition, or the building that houses one.
How do you pronounce “institution”?
“Institution” is pronounced ihn-stih-CHOO-shuhn (/ˌɪn.stɪˈtu.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “institution” in a sentence?
Here is “institution” used in a sentence: “The university is one of the oldest institutions in the country.”
What is another word for “institution”?
Words with a similar meaning to “institution” include establishment.
What part of speech is “institution”?
“Institution” is a noun.
Where does the word “institution” come from?
The word “institution” comes from Latin. From Latin institutio, "arrangement, custom," from instituere ("to set up") — equivalent to institute + -ion.
Is “institution” a common word?
“Institution” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “institution” have?
“Institution” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, established organization, especially one dedicated to education, public service, or a similar purpose.
What is the difference between an institution and an organization?
Every institution is an organization, but not every organization is an institution. Organization is the general word for any structured group working toward a goal. An institution is large, well-established, and enduring, often with real social importance — universities, hospitals, banks, and courts. The label suggests permanence and public standing.
What are examples of institutions?
Common institutions include universities and schools, hospitals, banks, courts of law, religious bodies like churches, and branches of government. Each is a large, lasting organization serving a public or social purpose. The word also stretches to long-standing customs, such as marriage, which are called institutions in a broader sense.
What are the main types of institutions?
Institutions are often grouped by purpose. Educational institutions include schools and universities; financial ones include banks; political institutions include parliaments and courts; religious institutions include churches and temples; and social institutions include the family and marriage. Many large bodies serve more than one of these roles at once.
Does institution have more than one meaning?
Yes. Most often it means a large, established organization such as a university or bank. It can also mean a long-standing custom or practice — 'the institution of marriage'. In addition, it can refer to the act of instituting something, as in 'the institution of new rules'.
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