verb (past and past participlere·formed, present participlere·form·ing, 3rd person present singularre·forms)
Definition:
1. transitive verb improve something by removing faults: to change and improve something by correcting faults, removing inconsistencies and abuses, and imposing modern methods or values
2. transitive and intransitive verb get rid of unacceptable habits: to adopt a more acceptable way of life and mode of behavior, or persuade or force somebody else to do so
3. transitive verb industry change molecular structure of petroleum: to subject petroleum to a chemical process such as catalytic cracking, in order to convert it into gasoline
noun (pluralre·forms)
Definition:
1. reorganization and improvement: the reorganization and improvement of something such as a political institution or system that is considered to be faulty, ineffective, or unjust electoral reform the reform candidate
2. improving change: a change and improvement, especially in the social or political sphere reforms designed to prevent fraud
3. character improvement: the adoption by somebody of a more acceptable way of life and mode of behavior
[14th century. Directly or via French< Latin reformare "form again" < forma "form"]