reformation

[ ref-er-mey-shuhn ]
/ ˌrɛf ərˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

the act of reforming; state of being reformed.
(initial capital letter) the religious movement in the 16th century that had for its object the reform of the Roman Catholic Church, and that led to the establishment of the Protestant churches.

Origin of reformation

1375–1425; late Middle English reformacion < Latin refōrmātiōn- (stem of refōrmātiō), equivalent to refōrmāt(us) (past participle of refōrmāre to reform) + -iōn- -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM reformation

Example sentences from the Web for reformation

British Dictionary definitions for reformation (1 of 2)

reformation
/ (ˌrɛfəˈmeɪʃən) /

noun

the act or an instance of reforming or the state of being reformed

Derived forms of reformation

reformational, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for reformation (2 of 2)

Reformation
/ (ˌrɛfəˈmeɪʃən) /

noun

a religious and political movement of 16th-century Europe that began as an attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in the establishment of the Protestant Churches

Cultural definitions for reformation

Reformation

A religious movement in the sixteenth century that began as an attempted reform of the Roman Catholic Church but resulted in the founding of Protestant churches separate from it. Some of the leaders of the Reformation were Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Knox. The Reformation was established in England after King Henry VIII declared himself head of the Christian Church in that country.