/ rɪˈfɔːm; NAmE rɪˈfɔːrm/ verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] to improve a system, an organization, a law, etc. by making changes to it :
proposals to reform the social security system
The law needs to be reformed.
2.
to improve your behaviour; to make sb do this :
[ vn ]
She thought she could reform him.
[ v ]
He has promised to reform.
► re·formed adjective :
a reformed character
■ noun
[ U , C ] change that is made to a social system, an organization, etc. in order to improve or correct it :
a government committed to reform
economic / electoral / constitutional, etc. reform
the reform of the educational system
reforms in education
far-reaching / major / sweeping reforms
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (as a verb in the senses restore (peace) and bring back to the original condition ): from Old French reformer or Latin reformare , from re- back + formare to form, shape. The noun dates from the mid 17th cent.