institution
An established organization or corporation, such as a college or bank, founded for a specific purpose like education or public service. It can also refer to a long-standing custom, law, or practice that is a significant part of a society's structure.
Examples
3 of 5The local hospital has been a pillar of the community and a vital institution for over a century.
The neighborhood hospital has served as a key local organization for more than one hundred years.
It is the responsibility of the state to protect the democratic institutions of the nation.
The government must safeguard the country's fundamental democratic systems and organizations.
In our family, watching the football game on Thanksgiving has become something of an institution.
In our household, it is a well-established tradition to watch football during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the root 'status' or 'statue.' Just like a statue, an institution is 'set up' to stand firmly and last a long time in society.
Quick Quiz
The university is a prestigious _____ that has produced several Nobel Prize winners.
Correct!
The correct answer is: institution
Examples
The local hospital has been a pillar of the community and a vital institution for over a century.
everydayThe neighborhood hospital has served as a key local organization for more than one hundred years.
It is the responsibility of the state to protect the democratic institutions of the nation.
formalThe government must safeguard the country's fundamental democratic systems and organizations.
In our family, watching the football game on Thanksgiving has become something of an institution.
informalIn our household, it is a well-established tradition to watch football during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Sociological studies often examine how educational institutions perpetuate social hierarchies.
academicResearch in sociology frequently analyzes the way schools and colleges maintain social class structures.
The merger between the two financial institutions was finalized after months of regulatory review.
businessThe joining of the two banking organizations was completed following an extensive legal check.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
the institution of marriage
the social and legal custom of being married
a total institution
a place of work and residence where many people live a formally administered life
an institution in one's own right
someone or something so well-known and established they are a legend
Often Confused With
An institute is usually a specific organization for research or education, while institution is broader and can also mean a long-standing custom.
A constitution is a document of fundamental principles, whereas an institution is the organization or practice itself.
Usage Notes
Use this word when referring to organizations with a public or social purpose (like schools or banks) or when talking about deeply embedded social customs like marriage or religion. It carries a sense of permanence and formality.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'institution' when they simply mean a 'company' or 'business.' Use 'institution' specifically for organizations that have a historical, social, or public-service weight.
Memory Tip
Think of the root 'status' or 'statue.' Just like a statue, an institution is 'set up' to stand firmly and last a long time in society.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'institutio', meaning a 'setting up' or 'arrangement', derived from 'instituere' (to establish).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western cultures, 'an institution' can humorously refer to a person who has been in a certain place or job for so long that they are seen as part of the building's identity.
Quick Quiz
The university is a prestigious _____ that has produced several Nobel Prize winners.
Correct!
The correct answer is: institution
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
example
A1An example is a specific thing or person that shows what a group or a rule is like. It is used to help explain something more clearly so that others can understand it easily.
always
A1This word describes something that happens at all times or on every occasion. It is a frequency adverb used to talk about habits, permanent truths, or repeated actions.
result
A1A result is something that happens or exists because of something else that happened before. It is often used to describe the final score of a game, the grade on a test, or the outcome of a specific action.
reason
A1A reason is a cause or explanation for why something happens or why someone does something. It is the information that answers the question 'Why?'.
research
A1A detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding. It involves gathering facts and data to test a theory or solve a problem.
girl
A1A female child or a young female person from birth until she reaches adulthood. It is also commonly used to refer to a daughter or, in informal settings, to a young woman.
food
A1Food refers to any substance consumed by living organisms to provide nutritional support for the body. It can be of plant, animal, or fungal origin and contains essential nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
moment
A1A very short period of time or a specific point in time. It is often used to ask someone to wait briefly or to describe a significant event occurring right now.
himself
A1A reflexive pronoun used as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject is a male person or animal previously mentioned. It is also used to emphasize that a specific man or boy did something personally or without help.
force
A1Force is the physical strength or energy that is used to push or pull an object. It can also refer to an organized group of people, such as the police or a military group.
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