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.
Murphy stars as the title character, a head teacher at a reform school for boys. Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025 Over one intense day, the devoted head teacher (Cillian Murphy) of a last-chance reform school strives to keep his students in line while facing pressures of his own. Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 27 Sep. 2025 Porter’s original story was told from the perspective of Shy, a troubled teenager at a reform school, the final stop before prison. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025 Operated by the title character, Steve — into whom lead actor Cillian Murphy channels all sorts of irreconcilable conflict — this is the reform school of last resort. Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Sep. 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 5 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

reform school

noun
: a reformatory for boys or girls

Legal Definition

reform school

noun
: a reformatory for boys or girls

More from Merriam-Webster on reform school

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