reformation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, academic, historical.
Quick answer
What does “reformation” mean?
The action or process of reforming an institution, system, or practice.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The action or process of reforming an institution, system, or practice; improvement by alteration or correction.
1) A 16th-century religious movement that led to the establishment of Protestant churches (proper noun, the Reformation). 2) The action of reforming oneself, especially morally. 3) The act of making changes to something in order to improve it, often implying a return to a better, original state.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The capitalised 'Reformation' for the historical period is universal.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British English in formal/political contexts (e.g., 'reformation of the House of Lords'). In American English, more tightly associated with the historical/religious event.
Frequency
Low frequency in casual speech for both, higher in academic, historical, and formal institutional writing.
Grammar
How to Use “reformation” in a Sentence
[the] reformation of [something][to] undergo reformation[to] call for the reformation of [something][a] period of reformationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reformation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He sought to reform the outdated regulations.
- The committee is working to reform the honours system.
American English
- The law aims to reform the healthcare system.
- She promised to reform the department's spending habits.
adverb
British English
- The policy was reformatively applied across the sector.
- (Extremely rare usage)
American English
- (Extremely rare, 'reformatively' is not standard).
adjective
British English
- Reformative measures were introduced in the prison.
- His time abroad had a reformative influence.
American English
- The program has a reformative purpose.
- They discussed reformative justice models.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in formal proposals or analyses, e.g., 'The report recommends a thorough reformation of the supply chain.'
Academic
Common in history, political science, and religious studies, e.g., 'The causes of the English Reformation are complex.'
Everyday
Rare. Might be used humorously or formally about personal change, e.g., 'My New Year's reformation involves less chocolate.'
Technical
In law or governance, refers to the correction of a legal document (contract reformation).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reformation”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reformation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reformation”
- Using 'reformation' as a verb (incorrect). The verb is 'reform'.
- Confusing 'Reformation' (historical event) with 'reform' (general action).
- Overusing in informal contexts where 'change' or 'improvement' suffices.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Reform' is the more general and common term for making changes to improve something. 'Reformation' often implies a more extensive, systematic, or fundamental process of change, and has a strong historical/religious association.
Only when referring specifically to the 16th-century Protestant Reformation (or other specific historical movements like the Counter-Reformation). Use lowercase for general processes of reform.
Yes, but it is formal and somewhat old-fashioned, e.g., 'the reformation of his character'. In modern contexts, 'rehabilitation' or 'personal reform' is more common.
'Reformation' suggests improving or correcting an existing system, often by returning to purer principles. 'Transformation' implies a more complete and fundamental change into something different, not necessarily an improvement of the original form.
The action or process of reforming an institution, system, or practice.
Reformation is usually formal, academic, historical. in register.
Reformation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɛfəˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛfərˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A reformation of character”
- “On the road to reformation”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-FORM-ATION. It's the action of forming something again, but in a better way.
Conceptual Metaphor
INSTITUTIONS/PEOPLE ARE BUILDINGS (that can be renovated/restructured). MORALITY IS A PATH (reformation is getting back on the right path).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'reformation' LEAST likely to be used?