Institution — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌin(t)-stə-ˈtü-shən/ in·sti·tu·tion

Meaning & Definition of Institution

Institution (noun)

  1. an established organization or corporation (such as a bank or university) especially of a public character
  2. a facility or establishment in which people (such as the sick or needy) live and receive care typically in a confined setting and often without individual consent
  3. a significant practice, relationship, or organization in a society or culture; also, something or someone firmly associated with a place or thing

Institution (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a public organization with a particular purpose or function

    "a charitable institution devoted to raising funds to feed the hungry"

    similar: establishment, foundation, institute
    related: body, collective, group, corporation, enterprise, charity, philanthropy, think tank

  2. a person who has long been associated with a place or activity

    "an actor who has been a Broadway institution for decades"

    similar: fixture
    related: first lady, grand old man, icon, symbol, dean, elder statesman

  3. a group of persons formally joined together for some common interest

    "an institution devoted to studying social problems and proposing solutions for them"

    similar: association, board, brotherhood, chamber, club, college, congress, consortium, council, fellowship, fraternity, guild, institute, league, order, organization, society, sodality
    related: collective, commune, community, cooperative, alliance, bloc, camp, coalition, partnership, body, cadre, group, circle, clan, clique, coterie, junta, junto, klatch, lot, set, crew, outfit, party, squad, team, branch, chapter, local, faithful, fold, membership, sisterhood, sorority, cabal, camarilla, camorra, confederacy, conspiracy, band, gang, ring, cartel, combine, syndicate

Related Entry: Thrift (noun)

Thrift is a different word from Institution. The synonyms below are for thrift, not for institution.

  1. careful management of material resources

    "through hard work and thrift our father was able to raise the money to put all four of us through college"

    similar: economy, frugality, husbandry, parsimony, penny-pinching, providence, scrimping, skimping
    related: conservation, saving, miserliness, stinginess, belt-tightening, retrenchment, discretion, forehandedness, prudence, austerity, moderation, restraint, temperance
    opposite: diseconomy, wastefulness
    near: extravagance, improvidence, lavishness, prodigality, squandering

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Institution

The most common words with a similar meaning to Institution:

establishment, foundation, institute, fixture, association, board, brotherhood, chamber, club, college, congress, consortium, council, fellowship, fraternity, guild, league, order, organization, society, sodality

Related Words for Institution

body, collective, group, corporation, enterprise, charity, philanthropy, think tank, first lady, grand old man, icon, symbol, dean, elder statesman, commune, community, cooperative, alliance, bloc, camp, coalition, partnership, cadre, circle, clan, clique, coterie, junta, junto, klatch

Origin & Etymology of Institution

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Institution

Words & Phrases Containing Institution

institution of higher learning, correctional institution, financial institution, penal institution, counterinstitution

Frequently Asked Questions about Institution

What does "Institution" mean?

"Institution" means an established organization or corporation (such as a bank or university) especially of a public character. As a noun, it is defined as: an established organization or corporation (such as a bank or university) especially of a public character. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Institution"?

Other words for "Institution" include establishment, foundation, institute, fixture, association, board, brotherhood and chamber. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Institution" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Institution"?

There are 77 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Institution". Common alternatives include establishment, foundation, institute, fixture, association, board, brotherhood, chamber, club and college.

How do you use "Institution" in a sentence?

Examples of "Institution" in a sentence: "a charitable institution devoted to raising funds to feed the hungry"; "an actor who has been a Broadway institution for decades"; "an institution devoted to studying social problems and proposing solutions for them".

Is "Institution" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Institution" is a noun.

Is "Institution" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Institution" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Institution"?

"Institution" is pronounced /ˌin(t)-stə-ˈtü-shən/ and divided into syllables as in·sti·tu·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Institution"?

First known use: 15th century.