Pronunciation: -shn ə - ˌ l ī z, -sh ə -n ə - ˌ l ī z
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -ized ; -iz · ing
Date: 1865
1 : to make into an institution : give character of an institution to < institutionalized housing> especially : to incorporate into a structured and often highly formalized system < institutionalized values>
2 : to put in the care of an institution < institutionalize alcoholics>
– in · sti · tu · tion · al · i · za · tion \ - ˌ tü-shn ə -l ə - ' z ā -sh ə n, -sh ə -n ə -l ə - ' z ā - \ noun