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
Which makes it a good thing that “Steve,” starring Cillian Murphy as a dedicated, troubled head teacher at a struggling reform school for chaos-inclined teenage boys, brings a raucously corrective attitude to bear.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 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
Keep in mind I had worked in a reform school for girls!
From Slate ● Apr. 4, 2024
“He’s referred to me from the relief. He’s been in a reform school and I’m giving him a chance. . . .”
From "Native Son" by Richard Wright
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.
