definition of
institution

[1] #1 institution n. [establishment] an organization founded and united for a specific purpose. wn

[2] #2 institution n. an establishment consisting of a building or complex of buildings where an organization for the promotion of some cause is situated. wn

[3] #3 institution n. a custom that for a long time has been an important feature of some group or society; "the institution of marriage"; "the institution of slavery"; "he had become an institution in the theater". wn

[4] #4 institution n. [initiation, founding, foundation, origination, creation, innovation, introduction, instauration] the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new; "she looked forward to her initiation as an adult"; "the foundation of a new scientific society". wn

[5] #5 institution n. [mental hospital, psychiatric hospital, mental institution, mental home, insane asylum, asylum] a hospital for mentally incompetent or unbalanced person. wn