reformatory

UK: /rɪˈfɔː^rmətəri/

US: /rɪˈfɔrməˌtɔri/

US: (ri fôr′mə tôr′ē, -tōr′ē)

Inflections of 'reformatory' (n): npl: reformatories

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•form•a•to•ry /rɪˈfɔrməˌtɔri/   adj., n., pl. -ries. 
adj. 

1. serving or designed to reform.

n. [countable]

2. Also called reˈform ˌschool. a jail or similar institution for young offenders.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•form•a•to•ry  (ri fôr′mə tôr′ē, -tōr′ē), adj., n., pl. -ries. 
adj. 

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

n. 

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

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

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

reformatory / rɪˈfɔːmətərɪ -trɪ/ noun ( -ries)

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

adjective

1. having the purpose or function of reforming