institution meaning and definition

INSTITUTION noun

Definition of institution (noun)

1. an organization founded and united for a specific purpose
   • synonyms: establishment
2. an establishment consisting of a building or complex of buildings where an organization for the promotion of some cause is situated
3. a custom that for a long time has been an important feature of some group or society
   • "the institution of marriage"; "the institution of slavery"; "he had become an institution in the theater"
4. the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new
   • "she looked forward to her initiation as an adult"; "the foundation of a new scientific society"
   • synonyms: creation, foundation, founding, initiation, innovation, instauration, introduction, origination
5. a hospital for mentally incompetent or unbalanced person
   • synonyms: asylum, insane asylum, mental home, mental hospital, mental institution, psychiatric hospital