reform school

noun

Synonyms of reform schoolnext
: 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.
In 2021, Ingle went up in arms targeting reform schools where abuse was underreported to legislators. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026 Advertisement The pair’s investigation starts at the Indiana boys reform school where Manson spent two years. — Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 22 July 2026 Based on the true story of a reform school where Black boys went missing, the novel pairs the stories of two teens, one a troublemaker and the other caught up by mistake. — Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026 While writing Wayward Girls, I was inspired every day by the survivors of the Good Shepherd in Buffalo and other reform schools who generously shared their stories. — Literary Hub, 1 July 2026 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

Rhymes for reform school

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Browse Nearby Words

Reform Judaism
reform school
reformulate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reform school.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reform%20school. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for reform school

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reform school

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