reformed; reforming; reforms
1
a
: to put or change into an improved form or condition
b
: to amend or improve by change of form or removal of faults or abuses
2
: to put an end to (an evil) by enforcing or introducing a better method or course of action
3
: to induce or cause to abandon evil ways
reform a drunkard
4
a
: to subject (hydrocarbons) to cracking
b
: to produce (gasoline, gas, etc.) by cracking
: to become changed for the better
1
: amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved
2
: removal or correction of errors or of an abuse or a wrong
3
capitalized
: reform judaism
1
: relating to or favoring reform
All of the great American reform movements—from civil rights to child-labor laws—started far from Washington, D.C. In state legislatures and town halls …—
William Greider
William Greider2
Reform
: of, relating to, or practicing Reform Judaism
Reform Jews, by the end of the nineteenth century, had adopted the custom of rising to their feet to pronounce the Shema in unison.—Jonathan D. Sarna
Jonathan D. Sarna
re-formed; re-forming; re-forms
: to form again
: to take form again
the ice re-formed on the lake
Examples of reform in a Sentence
Verb (1)
The program is designed to reform prisoners.
They want to reform campaign spending.
The laws need to be reformed.
The program is designed to help former gang members who are trying to reform.
Noun
A group of senators are calling for reform of the nation's health-care system.
He has proposed a list of political reforms.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
This can be achieved by accelerating deployment of inexpensive wind and solar energy, co-optimizing industrial energy use with electricity supply, supporting storage technologies, and reforming market rules to improve electricity trading and facilitate direct renewable energy procurement.
—Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
John Scott Lewinski, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
The shift follows decades of rapid economic growth since the market reforms of the late 1980s, coupled with rising urban living costs and changing generational attitudes toward family planning.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Jonny Hallam, CNN, 10 Feb. 2023
According to the Associated Press, Akbari served as deputy defense minister under President Mohammad Khatami — a pro-reform cleric who came to power in 1997 — until 2001.
—Bryan Pietsch, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2023
Janine Henni, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Black Sabbath re-formed to do the closing ceremony.
—Steve Knopper, Billboard, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reform
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Meanwhile, Shipley said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and other Republican senators may focus on reforming Senate floor procedures, such as the 30-hour debate requirement for each nominee, rather than attempting to undo the blue slip practice altogether.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
This can be achieved by accelerating deployment of inexpensive wind and solar energy, co-optimizing industrial energy use with electricity supply, supporting storage technologies, and reforming market rules to improve electricity trading and facilitate direct renewable energy procurement.
—Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
The concept touches on many of the topics driving political debate across the United States, from criminal justice reform and diversity, equity, and inclusion to affirmative action and immigration.
—John Scott Lewinski, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
The shift follows decades of rapid economic growth since the market reforms of the late 1980s, coupled with rising urban living costs and changing generational attitudes toward family planning.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Farhad Meysami was released from prison on Friday, according to the Iranian pro-reform outlet Shargh Daily.
—Jonny Hallam, CNN, 10 Feb. 2023
According to the Associated Press, Akbari served as deputy defense minister under President Mohammad Khatami — a pro-reform cleric who came to power in 1997 — until 2001.
—Bryan Pietsch, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2023
Verb
During the main event of the outing, the Stand-Up Parade for Number 42 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron, the King had the honor of presenting the Squadron with their standard (another name for ceremonial flag) to recognize the unit re-forming.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Black Sabbath re-formed to do the closing ceremony.
—Steve Knopper, Billboard, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reform
Cite this Entry
“Reform.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reform. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reform
1 of 3 verb
re·form
ri-ˈfȯ(ə)rm 
1
: to make better by removal of faults
reform a prisoner
2
: to correct or improve one's own behavior or habits
reform
2 of 3 noun1
: improvement in what is bad
2
: a removal or correction of an abuse, a wrong, or errors
re-form
3 of 3 verb(ˈ)rē-ˈfȯ(ə)rm
: to form again
the ice re-formed on the lake
Legal Definition
reform
transitive verb
re·form
ri-ˈfȯrm
1
: to put (a writing) into a corrected form that more accurately reflects the agreement of the parties
allows a writing signed by mistake to be reformed—W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.
compare ratify
W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.2
: to induce or cause to abandon wrongful or harmful ways
a reformed drug dealer
: to become changed for the better
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