Reformation
/ˌrɛfərˈmeɪʃən/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe act of improving or amending something by removing or correcting faults, defects, or abuses.
/ˌrɛfərˈmeɪʃən/
The action or process of reforming an institution or practice.
The company underwent a reformation of its business practices to increase efficiency.
💡 Simply: Imagine your school cafeteria is super messy and the food is yucky. If they cleaned it up and served better meals, that would be a reformation! It's about making something bad better.
👶 For kids: Making something better, like fixing a mistake!
More Examples
The politician promised a reformation of the tax laws if elected.
The Reformation led to significant religious and social changes in Europe.
How It's Used
"The Protestant Reformation was a major turning point in European history."
"The government initiated a series of reforms to improve the education system."
"The organization advocates for the reformation of prison systems."
A religious movement of the 16th century that sought to reform the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in the establishment of Protestant churches.
/ˌrɛfərˈmeɪʃən/
The 16th-century religious movement that led to the establishment of Protestantism.
The Reformation significantly impacted the political landscape of Europe.
💡 Simply: Imagine a group of people thought the church wasn't doing things right, like selling forgiveness. The Reformation was when these people broke away and started their own churches, believing in a new way to worship.
👶 For kids: A long time ago, some people wanted to change the church because they didn't like the way it was. That change was called the Reformation.
More Examples
Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses sparked the Reformation.
The Reformation led to the rise of various Protestant denominations.
How It's Used
"The Reformation, initiated by Martin Luther, challenged the authority of the Catholic Church."
"The Reformation resulted in a split within Christianity."
From Middle English reformacioun, from Old French reformacion, from Latin reformatio (“a reshaping, remodeling”), from reformo (“I reshape, reform”). The term is most famously associated with the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century.
The term 'reformation' has been used since the late 14th century, initially with a broad meaning related to improvement or correction. Its use became particularly prominent in the context of the religious reforms of the 16th century.
Memory tip
Think of re-forming something that was not correctly formed initially. Reformation creates a better form.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: re- (again, anew) + formare (to form)