reformation

[ ref-er-mey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of changing to a better state or character, way of operating, lifestyle, etc.; the correction of abuses and bad habits or practices:

   Last year the team underwent a reformation under the direction of a new head coach.

   The reformation of the justice system in that country is long overdue.

   Synonyms: reform, correction, betterment, improvement

2. an improved state or way of functioning that results from the correction of abuses and bad habits or practices:

   The gambler's so-called reformation lasted exactly one month.

3. the Reformation, Church History. the 16th-century movement that began with the objective of correcting theology and practice in the Roman Catholic Church and that ultimately led to the establishment of the Protestant churches.

Reformation

¹

/ ˌrɛfəˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. a religious and political movement of 16th-century Europe that began as an attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in the establishment of the Protestant Churches

reformation

²

/ ˌrɛfəˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of reforming or the state of being reformed

Reformation

1. A religious movement in the sixteenth century that began as an attempted reform of the Roman Catholic Church but resulted in the founding of Protestant church es separate from it. Some of the leaders of the Reformation were Martin Luther , John Calvin , and John Knox. The Reformation was established in England after King Henry VIII declared himself head of the Christian Church in that country.

Derived Forms

• ˌreforˈmational, adjective

Other Words From

• ref·or·ma·tion·al adjective
• non·ref·or·ma·tion noun
• non·ref·or·ma·tion·al adjective
• post-Ref·or·ma·tion noun
• pre-Ref·or·ma·tion noun
• pre·ref·or·ma·tion adjective
• self-ref·or·ma·tion noun
• su·per·ref·or·ma·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reformation¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English reformacion, from Latin refōrmātiōn-, stem of refōrmātiō, from refōrmāt(us) “reformed” (past participle of refōrmāre “to form again”; reform ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

What is less known, however, is how the fringe Christian movement the New Apostolic Reformation dominated and shaped the effort to overturn the 2020 election.

From Salon

Meanwhile, tenants had additional leverage against the Church of England: religious competition following the Reformation.

From Science Daily

His research shows that, far from being discredited by the failed insurrection, the New Apostolic Reformation has only become more popular and influential in the intervening years.

From Salon

Before, we saw this with the Protestant Reformation, which would not have happened had we not had the printing press — a technological invention that networked people with information.

From Salon

Both Protestants and Catholics claim Patrick as their own, but he lived and worked long before the Reformation.

From BBC

Related Words

• realignment
• renewal
• reorganization
• transformation