# institution

/ˌɪnstɪˈtuʃən/ (US) · /ˌɪnstɪtjˈuːʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/institution
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. an organization

noun · CEFR B2

a large and important organization, such as a university, bank, or hospital.

For teachers: a long-established organization or corporation, typically one with a public, educational, or charitable purpose.

- The city's oldest financial institution has survived several economic crises.
- Academic institutions must balance their traditional research goals with the modern demands of a globalised job market.

### 2. a social custom

noun · CEFR B2

a custom or tradition that has been part of a society for a long time.

For teachers: an established law, practice, or custom that is central to a society or culture.

- In many cultures, the institution of marriage is celebrated with a large party.
- Sociologists often study the institution of the family to understand how social values are passed down through generations.

### 3. a care facility

noun · CEFR B2

a building where people are cared for or kept, such as a hospital or prison.

For teachers: a facility where people are confined or provided with long-term care, often implying a loss of personal autonomy.

- He spent several months in a medical institution recovering from his injuries.
- The government has moved away from large-scale mental health institutions in favour of community-based support systems.

### 4. a well-known person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

someone who has been in a place or job for so long that everyone knows them.

For teachers: a person who is a prominent and long-standing fixture within a particular community or profession.

- The old librarian is a local institution who knows every family in town.
- Having worked at the same news desk for forty years, the anchor had become a national institution.

### 5. the act of starting

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of starting a new law, system, or rule.

For teachers: the formal act of instituting or establishing something, such as a policy or legal proceeding.

- The institution of new safety rules helped reduce accidents at the factory.
- The sudden institution of strict border controls caused significant delays for international trade.

## Examples

- The local hospital is a respected institution in our city.
- The university is a prestigious institution that has educated many of the country's top scientists and leaders.
- Scholars argue that the institution of marriage has undergone more radical transformations in the last fifty years than in the previous five centuries combined.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.