reform

Word family  noun form formation transformation reformer reform reformation reformist transformer formlessness adjective reformed reformist formless verb form reform transform adverb formlessly

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++re·form1 /rɪˈfɔːm $ -ɔːrm/ ●●○ W3 noun [countable, uncountable]  CHANGE/MAKE something DIFFERENTa change or changes made to a system or organization in order to improve it 改进；改革reform of a reform of the legal system 法律制度的改革economic/political/educational reform The government announced a much-needed programme of economic reform. 政府宣布了一套极为必要的经济改革方案。 Reforms were made to revive the economy. 为复苏经济而进行了改革。far-reaching/sweeping/radical reforms The prime minister is calling for sweeping reforms of the NHS. 首相正要求全面改革国民医疗服务体系。n COLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + reform economic reformThe prime minister has promised to push ahead with economic reform.political/democratic/constitutional reformHe stressed that democratic reform could not be achieved overnight.tax reformThe chancellor's proposals for tax reform met strong resistance in the Commons.education reformTeachers say the government's education reforms are causing stress.a major reformHe called for a major reform of the drug laws.radical reform (=very big and important changes)His government adopted a policy of radical reform.fundamental reform (=changes to the most basic and important parts of something)He wants fundamental reform of the EU's agricultural policy. far-reaching/sweeping reforms (=reforms that affect many things or have a great effect)The new government instituted a series of far-reaching reforms.verbsmake/carry out reformsThey haven't made any real reforms.introduce reformsThey increased pressure on the government to introduce political reforms.push through reforms (=make them happen)He has so far failed to push through much-needed economic reforms.implement reforms (=carry out planned reforms)Much will depend on how local managers implement the reforms.phrasesa package/programme of reformsA package of reforms was approved by the National Assembly on April 12.

Examples from the Corpus

reform• Reforms in agriculture, although slow, are beginning to have an impact.• They pushed an agenda to reverse recent academic reforms and give students more power within the university administration.• The army, on the other hand, has remained largely neutral in the unprecedented fight to force democratic reform from Milosevic.• The Socialists have promised a programme of radical political and economic reform.• These protections addressed issues ranging from the death penalty and homosexual rights to term limits, campaign-finance reform, and congressional redistricting.• Feminists sought legal reforms to ensure that women had genuinely equal opportunities.• The ability of party leaders to manipulate the nomination process had been substantially undercut, however, by party reform.• Clinton repeated his call, made in his first inaugural address in 1993, for political reform.• The revival in the island's economy has come about because of radical reforms introduced over the past three years.• Examples of radical reform, proposals for it and attempts to obtain it may be drawn from all parts of the globe.• Tax reforms did not benefit the middle class.• This is not the end of the reform movement, because it depends on society.• All of this may help to explain why I support with passion the reforms proposed by David Blunkett earlier this week.• the reform of local governmentreform of• The governor has called for reform of the forestry laws.reform2 ●●○ verb  1  [transitive]CHANGE/MAKE something DIFFERENT to improve a system, law, organization etc by making a lot of changes to it, so that it operates in a fairer or more effective way 改进；改革 plans to radically reform the tax system 彻底改革税收制度的计划2  [intransitive, transitive]BEHAVE to change your behaviour and become a better person, or to make someone do this （使）改过自新 Greeley says he’s a genuinely reformed character. 格里利说他已经彻底改过自新了。 a reformed criminal 一名改过自新的罪犯→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

reform• Parliament will soon be asked to approve measures to reform education, health, the criminal justice system and welfare provision.• Those countries that have made most headway in their reforming efforts are simply the precursors of the others.• It is tough to reform something that is shapeless and indifferent to improvement, like Jell-O in the hands of a carpenter.• Voters also heavily endorsed a clause on the ballot paper calling for the convening of a constituent assembly to reform the Constitution.• The failure of the ruling Socialist Party to reform the economy has plunged the country into disaster.• Plans to reform the health care system have failed more than once.• We are working to reform the nation's prisons.• The White Paper marks a step change in our programme for reforming the public sector.• They reformed the voting system, and introduced a secret ballot.• Dogs that bite can be reformed with good training.reformed character• But he was not a reformed character.• Moz had become a reformed character.• Nutty began to think Nails was a reformed character.• Peter O'Toole is another reformed character.• For reasons not apparent he had become a reformed character: he worked diligently and spent long hours in the laboratory.From Longman Business Dictionaryreformre‧form1 /rɪˈfɔːm-ɔːrm/ verb [transitive] to change a system, law, organization etc so that it operates in a fairer or more effective wayThe government has announced its plans to reform the tax system. —reformer noun [countable]The reformers will have to keep public support on their side if their bold economic experiments are to succeed.→ See Verb tablereformreform2 noun [countable, uncountable] a change made to a system, law, organization etc so that it operates in a fairer or more effective wayradical reforms of the company taxation systemThere is an urgent need for economic reform.Origin reform1 (1300-1400) Old French reformer, from Latin reformare, from formare “to form”

re·form1 noun →n COLLOCATIONS1reform2 verbLDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable  

Business a or or changes system change a organization Corpus in to made

reform

I

re‧form¹ /rɪˈfɔːm $ -ɔːrm/ verb1. [transitive] to improve a system, law, organization etc by making a lot of changes to it, so that it operates in a fairer or more effective way:
    plans to radically reform the tax system
2. [intransitive and transitive] to change your behaviour and become a better person, or to make someone do this:
    Greeley says he’s a genuinely reformed character.
    a reformed criminal
     

THESAURUS

■ to change something
   ▪ change to make someone or something different: Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to change the situation. | Being at college has changed her – she’s much more confident now.
   ▪ alter especially written tochange something so that it is better or more suitable: You can alter the colour and size of the image using a remote control. | Can we alter the date of the meeting?
   ▪ adapt to change something slightly in order to improve it or make it more suitable: How much would it cost to adapt the existing equipment? | You can adapt the recipe to suit your own requirements.
   ▪ adjust to make small changes in the position or level of something in order to improve it or make it more suitable: How do you adjust the volume on the television? | He adjusted his tie in the mirror.
   ▪ modify especially written to make small changes to something such as a piece of equipment, a set of ideas, or a way of behaving in order to improve it or use it in a different way: He’s modified his opinions since then. | a modified version of the original program.
   ▪ reform to change a law, system, organization etc so that it is fairer or more effective: plans to reform the tax system | Health care needs to be completely reformed.
   ▪ revise to change a plan, idea, law etc because of new information and ideas: In July, China revised the rules for foreign investment. | The findings could force the scientists to revise their ideas about climate change.
   ▪ reorganize to change the way that a system or organization works: We’ve had to reorganize our database | During the 1980s, the government reorganized the civil service.
   ▪ restructure to make big changes to the way something is organized, especially a large political or economic system or a big company, in order to make it more effective: The company has been restructured from top to bottom.

II

reform² W2 noun [uncountable and countable]a change or changes made to a system or organization in order to improve it
    reform of
    a reform of the legal system
    economic/political/educational reform
    The government announced a much-needed programme of economic reform.
    Reforms were made to revive the economy.
    far-reaching/sweeping/radical reforms
    The Prime Minister is calling for sweeping reforms of the NHS.
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + reform
   ▪ economic reform The Prime Minister has promised to push ahead with economic reform.
   ▪ political/democratic/constitutional reform He stressed that democratic reform could not be achieved overnight.
   ▪ tax reform The Chancellor's proposals for tax reform met strong resistance in the Commons.
   ▪ education reform Teachers say the government's education reforms are causing stress.
   ▪ a major reform He called for a major reform of the drug laws.
   ▪ radical reform (=very big and important changes) His government adopted a policy of radical reform.
   ▪ fundamental reform (=changes to the most basic and important parts of something) He wants fundamental reform of the EU's agricultural policy.
   ▪ far-reaching/sweeping reforms (=reforms that affect many things or have a great effect) The new government instituted a series of far-reaching reforms.
■ verbs
   ▪ make/carry out reforms They haven't made any real reforms.
   ▪ introduce reforms They increased pressure on the government to introduce political reforms.
   ▪ push through reforms (=make them happen) He has so far failed to push through much-needed economic reforms.
   ▪ implement reforms (=carry out planned reforms) Much will depend on how local managers implement the reforms.
■ phrases
   ▪ a package/programme of reforms A package of reforms was approved by the National Assembly on April 12.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ change noun [uncountable and countable] a situation in which someone or something becomes different, or the act of making something different: There was a sudden change in the weather. | We are living in a period of great change. | He was told to make some slight changes to his essay.
   ▪ alteration noun [uncountable and countable] a change, especially a small one that happens naturally or gradually, or one that is made in order to improve something: I noticed a slight alteration in her behaviour. | They had to make some alterations to their original theory.
   ▪ reform noun [uncountable and countable] a change made to a system or law in order to improve it: He called for a reform of our outdated voting system. | Many people opposed the economic reforms.
   ▪ shift noun [countable] a change, especially in people’s attitudes or in the way they do things, or in the position of someone or something: a shift in public opinion about the war | There has been a noticeable shift in government policy on education. | There needs to be a major shift away from road transport to rail transport. | After he died, there was a dramatic shift in the balance of power.
   ▪ swing a big change, especially in someone’s opinions or moods: There has been a big swing toward the Democrats (=many more people are supporting them). | The drug can cause mood swings.
   ▪ fluctuation noun [uncountable and countable] a change in something - used when something changes often: fluctuations in the value of the dollar | temperature fluctuations | fluctuations in his mood | There has been some fluctuation in productivity levels.