reform school: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Historical / Institutional
Quick answer
What does “reform school” mean?
An institution for the confinement and correction of young offenders.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An institution for the confinement and correction of young offenders.
Historically, a residential facility for juveniles who have broken the law, focusing on discipline and vocational training rather than punishment alone; sometimes used figuratively to describe any place or experience that is severely corrective or disciplinary.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term was historically used in both varieties. In modern UK English, 'approved school' (historical) or 'young offender institution' are more precise equivalents. In modern US English, 'juvenile detention center', 'youth correctional facility', or 'training school' are more common contemporary terms.
Connotations
Both carry connotations of a punitive, institutional past. In the US, it may still be recognized in legal/historical contexts. In the UK, it sounds particularly dated.
Frequency
Low frequency in contemporary usage in both varieties, primarily found in historical, legal, or literary contexts, or in metaphorical use.
Grammar
How to Use “reform school” in a Sentence
He was sent to reform school.The reform school aimed to rehabilitate him.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reform school” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The reform-school system was controversial.
- He had a reform-school background.
American English
- The reform-school era ended decades ago.
- She studied reform-school policies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or criminological studies discussing juvenile justice systems of the 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries.
Everyday
Rare in literal use. May be used humorously or metaphorically (e.g., 'My new boss runs this office like a reform school').
Technical
A dated term in legal and penological contexts; modern terminology is preferred.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reform school”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reform school”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reform school”
- Using it to refer to a school that has undergone modernisation (e.g., 'The government funded the reform school' is ambiguous/incorrect).
- Assuming it is a common contemporary term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is largely a historical term. Modern juvenile justice systems use terms like 'youth correctional facility', 'secure children's home', or 'juvenile detention center'.
Rarely. Even in historical context, it often carries negative or punitive connotations. Metaphorical use ('boot camp' is more common for a positive, disciplined transformation) is usually negative or humorous.
A boarding school is a private educational institution where students live. A reform school was a state institution for juvenile offenders, focusing on correction and control, not voluntary education.
Using modern terms reflects current understanding and practices in juvenile justice, which emphasise rehabilitation and rights. 'Reform school' can perpetuate outdated and often inaccurate stereotypes.
An institution for the confinement and correction of young offenders.
Reform school is usually formal / historical / institutional in register.
Reform school: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈfɔːm skuːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /rəˈfɔːrm skuːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not a holiday camp, it's reform school!”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A school that aims to RE-FORM or reshape the character and behaviour of young offenders.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A PARENT (the state disciplines wayward children); CORRECTION IS SHAPING/MOULDING (re-forming character).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest modern equivalent to a 'reform school'?