əˈsaɪləm kɹiːˈeɪʃən ɪˈstæblɪʃmənt faʊnˈdeɪʃən ˈfaʊndɪŋ ɪ.nɪ.ʃi.ˈeɪ.ʃən ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃən ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃən ˌɪntɹəˈdʌkʃən 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 an establishment consisting of a building or complex of buildings where an organization for the promotion of some cause is situated a hospital for mentally incompetent or unbalanced person 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 an organization founded and united for a specific purpose