Installatio

Installatio is a Latin noun meaning the act of placing in a position or establishing someone in office, as well as the setting up or establishment of something in a place. It is formed from a root related to the verb meaning to set or place, with the suffix -tio indicating action or process. In Latin, installatio is used to describe formal installations, including the installation of individuals into ecclesiastical or civil offices, and the placing or founding of institutions or equipment.

In historical Latin, the term commonly appears in contexts of official ceremonies and organizational foundations. For example, medieval and Renaissance Latin writers might use installatio to denote the investiture or formal induction of a bishop or other officeholder, or the establishment of a community or fortification. The concept overlapped with related terms such as instauratio and investitura, reflecting different nuances of appointment and initiation.

In modern English usage, the exact word installatio is rare and largely confined to scholarly or historical discussions of Latin language or historical documents. The standard English term is installation, which covers a wide range of meanings, including software and hardware installation, the process of setting up equipment, and the art form known as installation art—site-specific works that transform a space. When translating or quoting Latin sources, scholars may retain installatio as a Latin term or render it as installation depending on the context.

See also: installation, installation art, software installation, ecclesiastical installation, investiture.