reformatory
Reformatory (noun) means an institution, historically, for housing and rehabilitating young offenders. Example: “He was sent to a reformatory at the age of fourteen.”
How to use reformatory
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old term for a juvenile detention facility meant to correct young offenders' behavior, or an adjective meaning "meant to reform."
Word forms
more reformatory comparative, reformatories plural, most reformatory superlative
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He was sent to a _____ at the age of fourteen.
Synonyms
View more →Rhymes for reformatory
See all rhymes for reformatory →Frequently asked questions
What does “reformatory” mean?
The word “reformatory” means an institution, historically, for housing and rehabilitating young offenders. In plain terms, an old term for a juvenile detention facility meant to correct young offenders' behavior, or an adjective meaning "meant to reform.".
How do you pronounce “reformatory”?
“Reformatory” is pronounced rih-FAW-muh-tuh-ree (/ɹəˈfɔɹməˌtɔɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “reformatory” in a sentence?
Here is “reformatory” used in a sentence: “He was sent to a reformatory at the age of fourteen.”
What part of speech is “reformatory”?
Depending on how it is used, “reformatory” can be a noun and an adjective.
How many meanings does “reformatory” have?
“Reformatory” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an institution, historically, for housing and rehabilitating young offenders.