institution Definition

1. An organization or public body founded for a special purpose, especially for a charitable or educational purpose or as a hospital.

Thesaurus: organization, system, association, company, business, foundation, university, academy, orphanage, reformatory.
2. A hospital, old people's home, etc, regarded as an impersonal or bureaucratic organization.
3. A custom or tradition; something which is well-established.

Example: the institution of marriage
4. colloq
A familiar and well-known object or person.
5. The act of instituting or process of being instituted.

Belonging or relating to, like or typical of an institution, especially in being dull or regimented.
Example: typical institutional food

Depending on, or originating in, an institution.