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 system has a 20% chance of formation development in the next seven days. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2024

Warm Temperatures: The Saharan Air Layer’s warmth acts to stabilize the atmosphere, which can suppress the formation of clouds. —Grace Pateras, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024

Researchers said the formation of the river likely forced the birds to maintain separate populations, and over millions of years their songs and plumage changed. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 25 June 2024

And, depending on the result, there’s no guarantee it will be led by the U.S. Read More: The Coming MAGA Assault on Capitalism Both social democracy and neoliberalism arose when crises spurred the formation of a new political coalition that captured an enduring majority. —Alan Green / Made By History, TIME, 25 June 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