Institution Meaning
/ˌɪn.stɪˈtʃuː.ʃən/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA custom or practice of a society or community.
nounA long-established organization or type of organization, particularly one involved with education, public service, or charity work.
Sentence Examples
The institution must be protected.
The institution advertised on TV for volunteers.
They were sentenced to 12 months' detention in a young offender institution.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
Harvard University is one of the oldest educational ____ in the United States.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Marriage is considered a very sacred ____ in many different cultures and religions around the world.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English institucioun, from Old French institution, from Latin institūtiō, from instituō (“to set up”), from in- (“in, on”) + statuō (“to set up, establish”). Equivalent to institute + -ion.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"To the cynical observation that speech is given us to conceal our thoughts it might be added that eating and drinking enable us to hide our feelings. I think that is why food is an institution almost whenever human beings have anything to say to one another."
— 1934, Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London:
"[…] these professors of Little Red Schoolhouse-education did not themselves remain in the isolated and handicapped little institution they glorify."
— 1922, Annual Meeting, volume 55, Maryland State Teachers' Association, page 67:
"It is a common misconception […] that the American Mob began as an Italian institution transplanted directly from Sicily."
— 2009, T. J. English, Paddy Whacked: The Untold Story of the Irish American Gangster:
"As both a social and a religious institution, the parish provided "the support and help" that the immigrants needed in the New World."
— 2011, Jay P. Dolan, The American Catholic Experience: A History from Colonial Times to the Present, page 181:
"It was Murray's determination that finally motivated Nathan to agree to purchase the restaurant and convert it to the Coney Island-named institution, Nathan's Famous."
— 2016, William Handwerker, Jayne A. Pearl, Nathan's Famous: An Unauthorized View of America's Favorite Frankfurter Company, page 52:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Harvard University is one of the oldest educational ____ in the United States.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Marriage is considered a very sacred ____ in many different cultures and religions around the world.