Added 10 October 2026
institutionalized
verb
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). More about institutionalized at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- simple past and past participle of institutionalize
adjective
-
Having been established as an institution.
It is very difficult to get bureaucracies to abandon their institutionalized practices.
-
Having been committed to an institution, such as a prison or an insane asylum.
Once a potential employer learns that you've been institutionalized, you can forget about getting the job.
- Having become dependent after a long time in, and unable to function outside of an institution, especially a prison.