reformatory

[ ri-fawr-muh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]
/ rɪˈfɔr məˌtɔr i, -ˈtoʊr i /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR reformatory ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

serving or designed to reform: reformatory lectures; reformatory punishments.

noun, plural re·form·a·to·ries.

Also called reform school. a penal institution for reforming young offenders, especially minors.

Origin of reformatory

1580–90; < Latin refōrmāt(us) (see reformation) + -ory1, -ory2

OTHER WORDS FROM reformatory

pre·re·form·a·to·ry, adjective pseu·do·re·form·a·to·ry, adjective

Words nearby reformatory

reform jew, reform judaism, reform school, reformate, reformation, reformatory, reformed, reformed church in america, reformed spelling, reformer, reforming

Words related to reformatory

penitentiary, cooler, jail, prison

Example sentences from the Web for reformatory

British Dictionary definitions for reformatory

reformatory
/ (rɪˈfɔːmətərɪ, -trɪ) /

noun plural -ries

Also called: reform school (formerly) a place of instruction where young offenders were sent for corrective training Compare approved school

adjective

having the purpose or function of reforming