| − | '''Institution''' as a [[noun]] has several meanings. People most often think of an institution of civilization or societies and communities as an established element of [[culture]], such as an established law, practice, or custom; for example, the institutions of democratic government. A recognized stable element in the life of a country as an identifying or defining institution of the nation or community can be an established [[constitution]], a distinctive set of laws, or an official organization having an important particular role, such as a governing executive office, legislature, church, armed forces, news organization, or bank; or a particular society or organization founded for a religious, educational, social, sporting, or similar purpose, such as a professional institution, university, or hospital; or an organization providing residential care for people with special needs, such as a large, well-organized, recovery and long-term care facility or orphanage providing residential care, for example, "an institution for the mentally ill", or a "retirement home". Jails, prisons, penitentiaries, and facilities for the incarceration and rehabilitation of criminals and juvenile delinquents, including "half-way houses", are also called institutions. | + | '''Institution''' as a [[noun]] has several meanings. People most often think of an institution of civilization or societies and communities as an established element of [[culture]], such as an established law, practice, or custom; for example, the institutions of democratic government. A recognized stable element in the life of a country as an identifying or defining institution of the nation or community can be an established [[constitution]], a distinctive set of laws, or an official organization having an important particular role, such as a governing executive office, legislature, church, armed forces, news organization, political party, or bank; or a particular society or organization founded for a religious, educational, social, sporting, or similar purpose, such as a professional institution, university, or hospital; or an organization providing residential care for people with special needs, such as a large, well-organized, recovery and long-term care facility or orphanage providing residential care, for example, "an institution for the mentally ill", or a "retirement home". Jails, prisons, penitentiaries, and facilities for the incarceration and rehabilitation of criminals and juvenile delinquents, including "half-way houses", are also called institutions. |
| | As a [[verb]], the '''institution''' of something is the action of instituting or initiating something, such as establishing the beginning of a practice or policy to be adopted as customary; or beginning a procedure, '''to institute''' it, such as the starting of an action or beginning of proceedings, whether formal or informal, involving coordinated legal or social activities: "We are instituting this to provide better service", "The institution of this policy will result in an overall growth". | | As a [[verb]], the '''institution''' of something is the action of instituting or initiating something, such as establishing the beginning of a practice or policy to be adopted as customary; or beginning a procedure, '''to institute''' it, such as the starting of an action or beginning of proceedings, whether formal or informal, involving coordinated legal or social activities: "We are instituting this to provide better service", "The institution of this policy will result in an overall growth". |