reform school

noun

: a reformatory for boys or girls

Examples of reform school in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The boys endure abuse at the reform school and Ross does not shy away from depicting it. Fred Topel, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2024 Most notably, the adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, about two young Black men bonded by the horrific experience of being stuck in a 1960s reform school in Florida, will split the titular roles between two categories. Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2024 Adapted from Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer-winning novel of the same, the Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios film, which Ross co-wrote with Joslyn Barnes, follows the powerful friendship between two young Black teenagers navigating the harrowing trials of reform school together in Florida. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2024 Nickel Boys follows the friendship between two young men sent to a segregated reform school in Florida in the 1960s. Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 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

Dictionary Entries Near reform school

Cite this Entry

“Reform school.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reform%20school. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!