Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Institution?

\In`sti*tu"tion\, n. [L. institutio: cf. F. institution.] 1. The act or process of instituting; as: (a) Establishment; foundation; enactment; as, the institution of a school. The institution of God's law is described as being established by solemn injunction. --Hooker. (b) Instruction; education. [Obs.] --Bentley. (c) (Eccl. Law) The act or ceremony of investing a clergyman with the spiritual part of a benefice, by which the care of souls is committed to his charge. --Blackstone. 2. That which instituted or established; as: (a) Established order, method, or custom; enactment; ordinance; permanent form of law or polity. The nature of our people, Our city's institutions. --Shak. (b) An established or organized society or corporation; an establishment, especially of a public character, or affecting a community; a foundation; as, a literary institution; a charitable institution; also, a building or the buildings occupied or used by such organization; as, the Smithsonian Institution. (c) Anything forming a characteristic and persistent feature in social or national life or habits. We ordered a lunch (the most delightful of English institutions, next to dinner) to be ready against our return. --Hawthorne. 3. That which institutes or instructs; a textbook; a system of elements or rules; an institute. [Obs.] There is another manuscript, of above three hundred years old, . . . being an institution of physic. --Evelyn.