noun
reform
ree-FAWM
noun
1
A change made to improve something, especially a system, law, or institution.
"The government promised major healthcare reform."
"Prison reform aims to reduce reoffending."
verb
1
To make changes to something in order to improve it.
"Lawmakers voted to reform the tax code."
2
To improve one's own behavior or character.
"He vowed to reform after his wake-up call."
How to Use Reform
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA positive change to a system or law, or the act of making such a change (or, personally, cleaning up your act).
Common pairings
tax reform
reform a law
reform school
Word Forms
reformed past tense, reforms plural, reforms singular
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The government promised major healthcare _____.
Etymology
From Old French reformer, from Latin reformare ("to shape again"), from re- plus formare ("to form").