institution

Etymology

From Old French institution, from Latin institutio, from instituere (“to set up”), from in (“in, on”) + statuere (“to set up, establish”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃən/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃən/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

institution (plural institutions)

1. A custom or practice of a society or community.

   The institution of marriage is present in many cultures but its details vary widely across them.

2. An organization similarly long established and respected, particularly one involved with education, public service, or charity work.

   The University of the South Pacific is the only internationally-accredited institution of higher education in Oceania.

3. The building or buildings which house such an organization.

   He's been in an institution since the crash.

4. (informal) Other places or businesses similarly long established and respected.

   Over time, the local pub has become something of an institution.

   • 2009 February 19, Gareth Lewis, Southern Daily Echo:

     "They have turned a great old English institution into a shameful clip-joint. It's a shuddering, howling tragedy."

5. (informal) A person similarly long established in a place, position, or field.

   She's not just any old scholar; she is an institution.

6. The act of instituting something.

   The institution of higher speed limits was a popular move but increased the severity of crashes.

7. (obsolete) That which institutes or instructs, particularly a textbook or system of elements or rules.

Further reading

• institution in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• institution in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• institution at OneLook Dictionary Search
• "institution" in Raymond Williams, Keywords (revised), 1983, Fontana Press, page 168.

Etymology

From Latin institutio.

Noun

institution c (singular definite institutionen, plural indefinite institutioner)

1. institution

References

• “institution” in Den Danske Ordbog

Etymology

From Latin institutionem (accusative of institutio).

Noun

institution f (plural institutions)

1. institution

Further reading

• “institution” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Noun

institution c

1. an institution (an established organization)
2. an institution (a habit)
3. an institution (a person)
4. a department (at a university)

   datavetenskapliga institutionen

   department of computer science

   institutionen för fysik

   department of physics