institutionalize

[ in-sti-too-shuh-nl-ahyz, -tyoo- ]
/ ˌɪn stɪˈtu ʃə nlˌaɪz, -ˈtyu- /

verb (used with object), in·sti·tu·tion·al·ized, in·sti·tu·tion·al·iz·ing.

to make institutional.
to make into or treat as an institution: the danger of institutionalizing racism.
to place or confine in an institution, especially one for the care of mental illness, alcoholism, etc.
Also especially British, in·sti·tu·tion·al·ise.

Origin of institutionalize

First recorded in 1860–65; institutional + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM institutionalize

in·sti·tu·tion·al·i·za·tion, noun re·in·sti·tu·tion·al·i·za·tion, noun

Example sentences from the Web for institutionalize

British Dictionary definitions for institutionalize

institutionalize

institutionalise

/ (ˌɪnstɪˈtjuːʃənəˌlaɪz) /

verb

(tr; often passive) to subject to the deleterious effects of confinement in an institution a mental patient who was institutionalized into boredom and apathy
(tr) to place in an institution
to make or become an institution

Derived forms of institutionalize

institutionalization or institutionalisation, noun

Medical definitions for institutionalize

institutionalize
[ ĭn′stĭ-tōōshə-nə-līz′ ]

v.

To place a person in the care of an institution, especially one providing care for the disabled or mentally ill.

Other words from institutionalize

in′sti•tu′tion•al•i•zation (-shə-nə-lĭ-zāshən) n.