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reform

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Reform is defined as to correct someone or something or cause someone or something to be better.

(verb)

An example of reform is sending a troubled teenager to juvenile hall for a month and having the teenager return better behaved.

See reform in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to make better by removing faults and defects; correct: to reform a calendar
1. to make better by putting a stop to abuses or malpractices or by introducing better procedures, etc.
2. to put a stop to (abuses, etc.)
to cause or persuade (a person) to give up misconduct and behave better
Chem. to heat (petroleum products) under pressure, with or without catalysts, to produce cracking and a greater yield of gasoline or an improved octane number

Origin: ME reformen < OFr reformer < L reformare: see re- & form

intransitive verb

to become better in behavior

noun

a correction of faults or evils, as in government or society; social or political improvement
an improvement in character and conduct; reformation
a movement aimed at removing political or social abuses

adjective

☆ designating or of a movement in Judaism that attempts to make rational thought compatible with historical Judaism, stressing its ethical aspects and not requiring strict observance of traditional Orthodox ritual

Related Forms:

reformable adjective
reformative adjective

See reform in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb re·formed, re·form·ing, re·forms

verb, transitive

To improve by alteration, correction of error, or removal of defects; put into a better form or condition.
a. To abolish abuse or malpractice in: reform the government.
b. To put an end to (a wrong). See Synonyms at correct.
To cause (a person) to give up harmful or immoral practices; persuade to adopt a better way of life.

verb, intransitive

To change for the better.

noun

A change for the better; an improvement.
Correction of evils, abuses, or errors.
Action to improve social or economic conditions without radical or revolutionary change.

adjective