institution
gb/ˌɪnstɪtˈuʃən/ us/ˌɪnstɪtˈuʃən/
B1
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Established organization for a purpose
A big and important group that does work for education, religion, or public service.
Usage pattern:
[an/a/the] institution [of/for something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'institution' with 'building', but it refers to the organization, not just the physical place.
Synonyms
organization (A general term for a structured group, not necessarily large or long-established.)
|
establishment (Often refers to a long-standing organization with authority or influence.)
Antonyms
individual (Refers to a single person rather than an organized group.)
Collocations
educational institution
|financial institution
|public institution
|government institution
Themes
education
|society
|business
|religion
Examples
- Harvard University is a world-famous educational institution.
- The bank is a financial institution regulated by the government.
- The hospital is one of the oldest institutions in the city.
- Religious institutions play an important role in community life.
Learner examples
- My school is a good institution.
- This bank is an old institution.
- The hospital is an important institution.
- That college is a famous institution.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Long-standing practice or tradition
A practice or way of doing something that people have done for a long time.
Usage pattern:
[an/a/the] institution [of something]
Synonyms
tradition (A custom passed down over time, often less formal than an 'institution'.)
|
custom (A habitual practice in a group, less formal than an 'institution'.)
Antonyms
novelty (Something new and not established.)
Collocations
the institution of marriage
|the institution of democracy
|social institution
Themes
culture
|society
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Examples
- Marriage is considered an important social institution.
- The free press is a vital institution in a democracy.
- Sunday family dinners are an institution in our home.
Learner examples
- Marriage is an old institution.
- Voting is an important institution in my country.
- Sunday lunch is an institution in our family.
Noun
C1
action
3
Act of starting something official
The action of beginning something official, like a law or rule.
Usage pattern:
the institution of [something]
Synonyms
establishment (The creation of something official or formal.)
|
initiation (The beginning of a process, may be less formal than 'institution'.)
Antonyms
abolition (The act of officially ending something.)
Collocations
institution of proceedings
|institution of reforms
Themes
law
|government
|politics
Examples
- The institution of new safety measures reduced workplace accidents.
- The institution of the policy was met with public approval.
- The institution of legal proceedings marked the start of the trial.
Learner examples
- The institution of new rules helped the team.
- The institution of the law changed many things.
- The institution of reforms was quick.
Grammar
Dictionary form
institution
IPA
GB/ˌɪnstɪtˈuʃən/
US/ˌɪnstɪtˈuʃən/
Syllables & stress
in - sti - tu - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (tu)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: institution
- Plural: institution, institutions
Word family
Forms
institutions
noun
Core family
institutional
adjective B2
institute
noun B1
Related words
institutionally
adverb
Advanced or less common
Expressions
an institution in [place/context]
1/ən ˌɪnstɪtˈuʃən ˈɪn plˈeɪskəntˌɛkst/
fixed phrase
Very familiar due to long presence
Someone or something very well known in a place because they have been there for a long time.
Examples
- That café is an institution in this neighborhood.
- She's been teaching here for 40 years—she's an institution in the school.
the institution of marriage
2/ðə ˌɪnstɪtˈuʃən əv mˈɛɹɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Socially recognized union between partners
The system or tradition of marriage as accepted by society.
Examples
- Some people believe the institution of marriage is outdated.
- He still believes strongly in the institution of marriage.
financial institution
3/fɪnˈænʃəl ˌɪnstɪtˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
Organization managing money
A business like a bank that manages and stores money.
Examples
- Banks and credit unions are examples of financial institutions.
- The government regulates all financial institutions.
financial institution
4/fɪnˈænʃəl ˌɪnstɪtˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
Organization providing financial services
A company like a bank that manages money for people and businesses.
Examples
- Banks and credit unions are types of financial institutions.
- The central bank is the country's most important financial institution.