English

institute

gb/ˈɪnstɪtˌut/ us/ˈɪnstɪtˌut/
B1 English
~ 1700
Senses
0 senses
Noun B1 entity
1

Organization for education or research

A group or place that teaches people or studies something in detail.

Usage pattern: [an/the] institute for [study/research/training]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'institute' with 'institution'. While similar, 'institution' is broader and can refer to laws or customs as well as organizations.
Synonyms
organization (General term for a structured group; less specific to education or research.) | academy (Specifically refers to an educational institution, often with formal programs.)
Antonyms
individual (Refers to a single person, opposite of an organized group or institution.)
Collocations
research institute |training institute |technical institute |medical institute
Themes
education |science |business |work
Examples
  • She works at a leading medical institute.
  • The institute offers courses in computer science.
  • A new research institute was established in the city last year.
Learner examples
  • I study at a language institute.
  • The institute has many teachers.
  • He works at a science institute.
Verb formal B2 action
2

To start something officially

To start something like a system, law, or program in an official way.

Usage pattern: to institute [a policy/program/procedure]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'start' instead of 'institute' in formal writing; 'institute' is more formal and often used for laws, rules, and programs.
Synonyms
establish (More general; can be used for both official and unofficial starts.) | initiate (Focuses on the act of starting; may be less formal than 'institute' in some contexts.)
Antonyms
abolish (Means to officially end something, which is the opposite of starting it.)
Collocations
institute a policy |institute proceedings |institute reforms
Themes
business |law |government |politics
Examples
  • The company instituted new safety measures.
  • The government has instituted a tax reform.
  • They instituted legal action against the contractor.
Learner examples
  • The school will institute a new rule.
  • The bank instituted a new program.
  • The city will institute free bus rides.
Grammar
Dictionary form
institute
IPA
GB/ˈɪnstɪtˌut/
US/ˈɪnstɪtˌut/
Syllables & stress
in - sti - tute (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: institute
  • Plural: institutes
Verb
  • Base: institute
  • 3rd Person Singular: institutes
  • Present Participle: instituting
  • Past: instituted
Word family
Forms
institutes noun instituting verb instituted verb
Core family
institution noun B1 institutional adjective B2
Advanced or less common
institutionally adverb institutionalize verb C1 institutionalization noun C1
Expressions

institute of higher learning

1
/ˈɪnstɪtˌut əv hˈaɪɚ lˈɚnɪŋ/
fixed phrase

College or university

A college or university that teaches students after high school.

Examples
  • She graduated from a prestigious institute of higher learning.
  • Many institutes of higher learning are adapting to online education.

institute of technology

1
/ˈɪnstɪtˌut əv tɛknˈɑləd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase

School for science and engineering

A school that teaches subjects like science, engineering, and technology.

Examples
  • He studied engineering at the local institute of technology.
  • The institute of technology is known for its robotics program.

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