Any of various societies established in the early 19th cent. (chiefly from the 1820s onwards) in Britain and the United States to provide education for manual workers.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in Censor.
Definition of mechanic's institute in US English:
mechanic's institute
noun
historical
Any of various societies established in the early 19th cent. (chiefly from the 1820s onwards) in Britain and the United States to provide education for manual workers.