formation

noun

for·​ma·​tion fȯr-ˈmā-shən 

1

: an act of giving form or shape to something or of taking form : development

2

: something that is formed

new word formations

3

: the manner in which a thing is formed : structure

the peculiar formation of the heart

4

: a major kind of plant growth (such as forest, grassland, or tundra) characteristic of a broad ecological region

5

a

: any igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock represented as a unit

b

: any sedimentary bed or consecutive series of beds sufficiently homogeneous or distinctive to be a unit

6

: an arrangement of a body or group of persons or things in some prescribed manner or for a particular purpose

flying in formation

Synonyms

• arrangement
• configuration
• conformation
• format
• layout
• setout
• setup

Examples of formation in a Sentence

The book explains the formation of the planets.

The soldiers were marching in formation.

The team ran on the field and lined up in a punt formation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The partnership between the traditional outdoor Motocross series and the stadium-centric Supercross series is a fascinating look at how media rights landscape and the timing of the pandemic led to not just the two coming together, but the formation of the SuperMotocross Finals playoff format. —Maury Brown, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

When the campaign announced the formation of Latino Americans for Trump, this past June, Trujillo supported it immediately. —Geraldo Cadava, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2024

The rights also include new designs made since the formation of the foundation, and everything that Westwood designed or created prior to 1993, before the Vivienne Westwood Ltd. company was formed. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 23 Oct. 2024

Mortgages tend to follow the 10-year Treasury yield — and have moved out of the sweet spot that spurs housing formation. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing formation

• back-formation
• break formation
• I formation
• punt formation
• reticular formation
• self-formation
• spread formation
• T formation

Kids Definition

formation

noun

for·​ma·​tion fȯr-ˈmā-shən 

1

: a forming of something

2

: something formed

3

: the manner in which a thing is formed : structure, shape

4

: a bed of rocks or series of beds recognizable as a unit

5

: an arrangement or grouping of persons, ships, or airplanes

Medical Definition

formation

noun

for·​ma·​tion fȯr-ˈmā-shən 

1

: an act of giving form or shape to something or of taking form : development

2

: the manner in which a thing is formed : structure