*in·sti·tu·tion/ˏɪnstə`tjuʃən; ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃən/ n [C] 1 a large important organization such as a university, church, or bank 〔大学、教会、银行等〕大型团体，机构: higher education institutions 高等教育机构 2 a place such as a hospital or prison where people are looked after 〔医院、监狱等〕社会公共机构 3 a custom accepted by most people in a society 习俗，制度: the institution of marriage 婚姻制度