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.
noun plural -ries
- Also called: reform school (formerly) a place of instruction where young offenders were sent for corrective trainingCompare approved school
adjective
- having the purpose or function of reforming
1704, from past participle stem of Latin reformare “to transform, change” (see reform (v.)). As a noun, “house of correction for juveniles,” from 1758.