reform school
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of reform school
An Americanism dating back to 1855–60
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The actor stars alongside Tracey Ullman and Emily Watson in a film that follows the weary employees and difficult students of an English reform school.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 14, 2025
It comes as the Irish actor promotes his new film, Steve, which follows his titular character's attempt to turn around a 1990s reform school for troubled boys.
From BBC • Sep. 19, 2025
Shot from the point of view of its characters, two Black boys navigating the horrors of a Florida reform school, “Nickel Boys” invites moviegoers to immerse themselves and bear witness.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2024
Keep in mind I had worked in a reform school for girls!
From Slate • Apr. 4, 2024
He said that reform school had the wrong reputation; he talked about what the word “reform” meant—to change and become better.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
