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.
When the teens rebel against their abusive parents Ruth and Hank, they are sent to a reform school in the Dominican Republic called Escuela Caribe, where they are imprisoned in a compassionless world that preaches blind obedience over meaningful religious content. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 19 May 2025 Sunshine state panhandle reform school – a process that required a lot of trust, on all sides of the camera. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025 The scene primarily involves the character Hattie (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), who has come to visit her grandson, Elwood, at the reform school Nickel Academy, where the boy has been sent unjustly. Mekado Murphy, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025 The difference here is that director Ross knows just how much there is to mine in the faces and body language of a roomful of reform school residents awaiting punishment, or in the quiet, devastated aftermath. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 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 24 May. 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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