reform school

noun

: a reformatory for boys or girls

Examples of reform school in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Londoner — who was recently listed among Variety‘s Actors to Watch — stars alongside Cillian Murphy in the Toronto-bowing film, playing a troubled young man at a reform school for boys with behavioural difficulties. Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 Nov. 2025 Skakel made it through reform school and rebuilt his life. Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025 Steve is a reimagining of Max Porter’s 2023 Sunday Times bestseller Shy, and twists that story on its axis to be told from reform school headteacher Steve’s point of view. Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025 Murphy stars as the title character, a head teacher at a reform school for boys. Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reform school

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reform school was circa 1859

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Cite this Entry

“Reform school.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reform%20school. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

reform school

noun
: a reformatory for boys or girls

Legal Definition

reform school

noun
: a reformatory for boys or girls

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