instituted

Instituted is the past tense and past participle of the verb institute. To institute something is to establish, initiate, or organize it—creating a system, program, rule, or institution and beginning its operation. The term is common in formal or official contexts, including government policy, education, administration, and law. When something is described as instituted, it generally implies a deliberate, formal act rather than a casual or informal start.

Etymology and related forms: The word comes from Latin institutus, from instituere, and traveled through Old French into English. The related noun institute refers to an organization or society, while institution can mean a long-standing organization or practice. The verb to institute has shades of meaning including to set up, to establish, to commence a program, or to begin legal proceedings.

Usage notes and examples: The administration instituted new reforms in 2021; the court instituted proceedings against the defendant. The passive construction is common: a policy was instituted. In legal contexts, to institute can specifically mean to commence a lawsuit or official action. The term is distinct from institute (as a noun) and institution (a persistent organization or practice), though they share a common linguistic root.