institution

Etymology

From Middle English institucioun, from Old French institution, from Latin institūtiō, from instituō (“to set up”), from in- (“in, on”) + statuō (“to set up, establish”).

noun

1. A custom or practice of a society or community.
   The institution of marriage is present in many cultures but its details vary widely across them.
2. A long established and respected organization, particularly one involved with education, public service, or charity work.
   The University of the South Pacific is the only internationally accredited institution of higher education in Oceania.
3. The building or buildings which house such an organization.
   He's been in an institution since the crash.
4. (informal, by shortening) A mental institution.
5. (informal) Any long established and respected place or business.
   Over time, the local pub has become something of an institution.
   [quoting Giles Coren] "The Wykeham Arms [a pub] is destroyed. They have turned a great old English institution into a shameful clip-joint. It's a shuddering, howling tragedy." 2009-02-19, Gareth Lewis, “Giles Coren slams Winchester pub The Wykeham Arms”, in Southern Daily Echo
6. (informal) A person long established in a place, position, or field.
   She's not just any old scholar; she is an institution.
7. The act of instituting something.
   The institution of higher speed limits was a popular move but increased the severity of crashes.
   Accordingly if we can show that a barbarous custom, like that of the priesthood of Nemi, has existed elsewhere; if we can detect the motives which led to its institution; if we can prove that these motives have operated widely, perhaps universally, in human society... 1894, James George Frazer, The Golden Bough
8. (Christianity) The act by which a bishop commits a cure of souls to a priest.
9. (obsolete) That which institutes or instructs, particularly a textbook or system of elements or rules.