reform Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses
- justice was for sale before the reform of the law courts
noun a campaign aimed to correct abuses or malpractices
- the reforms he proposed were too radical for the politicians
noun self-improvement in behavior or morals by abandoning some vice
- the family rejoiced in the drunkard's reform
verb make changes for improvement in order to remove abuse and injustices
- reform a political system
verb bring, lead, or force to abandon a wrong or evil course of life, conduct, and adopt a right one
regenerate; rectify; reclaim.
- The Church reformed me
- reform your conduct
verb produce by cracking
- reform gas
verb break up the molecules of
- reform oil
verb improve by alteration or correction of errors or defects and put into a better condition
- reform the health system in this country
verb change for the better
straighten out; see the light.
- The lazy student promised to reform
- the habitual cheater finally saw the light

F. réformer, L. reformare; pref. re- re- + formare to form, from forma form. See Form.

To put into a new and improved form or condition; to restore to a former good state, or bring from bad to good; to change from worse to better; to amend; to correct; as, to reform a profligate man; to reform corrupt manners or morals.
The example alone of a vicious prince will corrupt an age; but that of a good one will not reform it. Swift.
Syn. -- To amend; correct; emend; rectify; mend; repair; better; improve; restore; reclaim.

To return to a good state; to amend or correct one's own character or habits; as, a man of settled habits of vice will seldom reform.

F. réforme.

Amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved; reformation; as, reform of elections; reform of government. Syn. -- Reformation; amendment; rectification; correction. See Reformation.