in·sti·tute (?n?st?-to?ot?, -tyo?ot?)tr.v. in·sti·tut·ed, in·sti·tut·ing, in·sti·tutes 1. a. To establish, organize, or introduce: institute wage and price controls. See Synonyms at establish.b. To initiate; begin: institute a search for the missing hikers.2. To establish or invest (someone) in an office or position.n.1. An organization founded to promote a cause: a cancer research institute.2. a. An educational institution, especially one for the instruction of technical subjects.b. The building or buildings housing such an institution.3. A usually short, intensive workshop or seminar on a specific subject.4. Archaic a. A principle or rudiment of a particular subject.b. institutes A digest of or commentary on such principles or rudiments, especially a legal abstract.[Middle English instituten, from Latin ?nstituere, ?nstit?t-, to establish : in-, in; see in-2 + statuere, to set up; see st?- in Indo-European roots.]in?sti·tut?er, in?sti·tu?tor n.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.