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.
After nearly two decades of reform schools and prison stints, Manson moved to San Francisco in March 1967, according to The New York Times. Emily Krauser, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025 Mind Control and Operation MKUltra Manson spent his early years in foster homes and reform schools before being arrested for the first time in 1956, and was released from prison in 1967. Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025 Nearly every scene is filmed through the eyes of its leads, two Black boys who have been sent away to a reform school in Jim Crow–era Florida. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2025 Elwood is sentenced to time at the Nickel Academy, a reform school for boys. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 9 Dec. 2024 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 13 Mar. 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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