institute

institute, institution

Both words are used with reference to organizations and societies set up to pursue some specific literary, scientific, legal, or social purpose, and choice usually depends on the form already used for a particular name. The earliest institute mentioned in the OED is the Mechanics' Institute (established in 1823), and the earliest institution is the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (founded in 1798). Famous recent examples include the Women's Institute (first established in Canada in 1897 and then extended to other countries in the early 20c) and the British Standards Institution (the UK national body on standards, established in the 20c). In the generalized meaning ‘something established by law or custom’, as applied for example in the UK to the monarchy, the Grand National, the last night of the Proms, etc., (though no longer to capital punishment and the Workhouse, which featured in Fowler's 1926 list), institution is the only word used.