Meaning of reform In English

• 0 to make an improvement, especially by changing a person's behaviour or the structure of something:

  • Who will reform our unfair electoral system?

  • For years I was an alcoholic, but I reformed when the doctors gave me six months to live.

• 1 an improvement, especially in a person's behaviour or in the structure of something:

  • Some reforms of/to the system will be necessary.

  • The education system was crying out for reform.

• 2 to become better, or to make something better by making corrections or removing any faults:

  • [ T ] As governor, he reformed election procedures.

  • [ I ] She insists that she has finally reformed.

• 3 an improvement or set of improvements made to a system, law, organization, etc. in order to make it more modern or effective:

  • reform of sth Essential reform of the banking sector is under way.

  • reforms in sth He has called for reforms in the retirement system for years.

  • banking/economic/tax reform Corporate tax reform has left companies uncertain about future tax bills.

  • Market reforms have opened the doors to greater competition.

  • fundamental/major/radical reforms

• 4 to make an improvement to a system, a law, an organization, etc., in order to make it more modern or effective:

  • reform the economy/the tax system, etc.

  • Corporation tax will be reformed to raise more revenue.