institutionalization

US: /ˌɪnstɪˌtuʃənəlɪˈzeɪʃən, -ˌtju-/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•sti•tu•tion•al•ize /ˌɪnstɪˈtuʃənəˌlaɪz, -ˈtyu-/   v. [~ + object] , -ized, -iz•ing. 

1. Sociology to make (something) into an institution; treat (something) as an institution:
   institutionalizing racism.
2. to place or confine (someone) in an institution:
   The deranged criminal was institutionalized for several years.

in•sti•tu•tion•al•i•za•tion /ˌɪnstɪˌtuʃənəlɪˈzeɪʃən, -ˌtyu-/  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•sti•tu•tion•al•ize  (in′sti to̅o̅′shə nl īz′, -tyo̅o̅′-), v.t., -ized, -iz•ing. 

1. to make institutional.
2. Sociology to make into or treat as an institution:
   the danger of institutionalizing racism.
3. to place or confine in an institution, esp. one for the care of mental illness, alcoholism, etc.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] in′sti•tu′tion•al•ise′. 

• institutional + -ize 1860–65

in′sti•tu′tion•al•i•za′tion, n.