institution
UK[ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃn]US[ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃn]
n
A large and important organization, such as a university, bank, or church.
n
A custom or system that has existed for a long time and is accepted as an important part of a particular society.
n
The act of starting or introducing something such as a system or a law.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
stitut
ion
in
stitut
ion
Etymology
The word "institution" originates from the Latin verb instituere, meaning "to set up, establish, or arrange," itself composed of in- ("in, into") and statuere ("to cause to stand, to set"). The related Latin noun institutio denoted the act of establishing or an established practice. Entering English via Old French in the 14th century, its core logic evolved from the literal act of "setting something into place" to signify both the abstract process of founding and the concrete, established organization or long-standing custom that results from such an act. This semantic duality captures the word's modern meanings, linking the foundational action to its enduring product.
Analysis
Structure: in + stitut + ion
- in (Latin): A prefix meaning "in, into, on, toward." In this context, it implies establishment or setting in place.
- stitut (Latin): From the root of the verb statuere, meaning "to set up, to establish, to place."
- ion (Latin): A noun-forming suffix indicating an action, process, or result.
Examples
The university is a respected academic institution.
Marriage is a social institution found in most cultures.
The institution of new safety protocols was met with some resistance.