# reformation

/ˌɹɛfɝˈmeɪʃən/ (US) · /ɹɪfɔːmˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reformation
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. improvement of a system

noun · CEFR B2

the act of improving something by changing how it works, especially a government or a large organization.

For teachers: the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, or unsatisfactory in social, political, or institutional affairs.

- The new government promised a complete reformation of the prison system.
- Public outcry regarding the lack of transparency led to a radical reformation of the city's zoning and planning departments.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general process of change.

### 2. the 16th-century religious movement

noun · CEFR B2

the 16th-century religious movement in Europe that led to the start of Protestant churches.

For teachers: the 16th-century religious movement aimed at reforming the Roman Catholic Church, resulting in the establishment of Protestantism.

- Students are studying the Reformation and its impact on European history.
- The Reformation fundamentally altered the political landscape of Europe, leading to decades of conflict and the eventual rise of sovereign nation-states.

Usage: Usually capitalized as 'the Reformation' when referring to this specific historical event.

### 3. legal correction of a document

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a legal change made to a written contract so that it matches what the people involved actually agreed to.

For teachers: an equitable remedy by which a court orders the change or correction of a written instrument to reflect the parties' actual intent.

- The lawyer asked for a reformation of the contract because of a typing error.
- The plaintiff sought a judicial reformation of the deed, arguing that the written description of the property boundaries was a mutual mistake.

Usage: Typically used in the context of contract law or property deeds.

## Examples

- The school started a reformation of its grading system.
- The company launched a major reformation of its hiring practices to reduce bias.
- The political reformation swept through the country, replacing outdated laws with modern democratic principles that empowered the citizenry.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.