an organization founded and united for a specific purpose

[ Syn: establishment ]

an establishment consisting of a building or complex of buildings where an organization for the promotion of some cause is situated

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'

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

[ Syn: initiation , founding , foundation , origination , creation , innovation , introduction , instauration ]

a hospital for mentally incompetent or unbalanced person

[ Syn: mental hospital , psychiatric hospital , mental institution , mental home , insane asylum , asylum ]