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institution

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noun British English pronunciation: institution /ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃ(ə)n/ 
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singularinstitution
pluralinstitutions

Related dictionary definitions

  1. 2
    [countable] an important tradition on which society is based

    We need to respect their beliefs, traditions, and social institutions.

    institution of:

    the institution of marriage

    1. a.
      often humorous someone or something that has been in a particular job or place for such a long time that you cannot remember a time when they were not there

      She was an institution in our community where she lived for 40 years.

  2. 3
    [uncountable] the introduction of a system, rule, or policy
    institution of:

    the institution of a new health-care system

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a speech habit in which a speaker lowers their voice at the end of a sentence

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