INSTITU'TION, noun [Latin institutio.]

1. The act of establishing.

2. Establishment; that which is appointed, prescribed or founded by authority, and intended to be permanent. Thus we speak of the institutions of Moses or Lycurgus. We apply the word institution to laws, rites, and ceremonies, which are enjoined by authority as permanent rules of conduct or of government.

3. A system, plan or society established, either by law or by the authority of individuals for promoting any object, public or social. We call a college or an academy, a literary institution; a bible society, a benevolent or charitable institution; a banking company and an insurance company are commercial institutions.

4. A system of the elements or rules of any art or science.

5. Education; instruction.

His learning was not the effect of precept or institution

6. The act or ceremony of investing a clerk with the spiritual part of a benefice, by which the care of souls is committed to his charge.