1. Change one's behaviour or beliefs for the better
   "The lazy student promised to reform";
   - straighten out, see the light
    
2. Make changes for improvement in order to remove abuse and injustices
   "reform a political system"
    
3. Improve by alteration or correction of errors or defects and put into a better condition
   "reform the health system in this country"
    
4. Bring, lead, or force to abandon a wrong or evil course of life, conduct, and adopt a right one
   "The Church reformed me"; "reform your conduct";
   - reclaim, regenerate
    
5. (chemistry) produce by cracking
   "reform gas"
    
6. (chemistry) break up the molecules of
   "reform oil"

1. A change for the better as a result of correcting abuses
   "justice was for sale before the reform of the law courts"
    
2. A campaign aimed to correct abuses or malpractices
   "the reforms he proposed were too radical for the politicians"
    
3. Self-improvement in behaviour or morals by abandoning some vice
   "the family rejoiced in the drunkard's reform"

Derived forms: reforms, reforming, reformed

Type of: alter, ameliorate, amend, better, campaign, cause, change, change integrity, crusade, drive, effort, improve, improvement, make from scratch, meliorate, mend, modify, movement, self-improvement, self-reformation

Encyclopedia: Reform, Alabama