for·mu·la
ˈfȯr-myə-lə 
plural formulas or formulae
ˈfȯr-myə-ˌlē
-ˌlī
-ˌlī
1
a
: a set form of words for use in a ceremony or ritual
b
: a conventionalized statement intended to express some fundamental truth or principle especially as a basis for negotiation or action
2
a(1)
: recipe
The product is made using a secret formula that the company refuses to reveal.
(2)
b
: a milk mixture or substitute for feeding an infant
3
a
: a general fact, rule, or principle expressed in usually mathematical symbols
b
: a symbolic expression of the chemical composition or constitution of a substance
c
: a group of symbols (such as letters and numbers) associated to express facts or data (such as the number and kinds of teeth in the jaw) concisely
d
: a combination of signs in a logical calculus
4
: a customary or set form or method allowing little room for originality
All her books were written according to a familiar formula.
: of, relating to, or being an open-wheel open-cockpit rear-engine racing car conforming to prescribed specifications as to size, weight, and engine displacement
Examples of formula in a Sentence
Noun
His investment strategy is based on a simple formula.
This has proven to be a winning formula.
The product is made using a secret formula that the company refuses to reveal.
The formula for water is H2O.
infants drinking formula instead of their mother's milk
Recent Examples on the Web
Maxwell Williams, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
When seeking out the best shampoo for oily hair, King advises against buying formulas formulated with silicones.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 26 Oct. 2024
Time, 23 Jan. 2023
Last year, the agency came under fire from members of Congress and others for not heading off a formula shortage that left many parents scrambling to feed their infants.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 25 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for formula 
Noun
Dressing for a Dodgers game comes down to a simple formula.
—Maxwell Williams, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
When seeking out the best shampoo for oily hair, King advises against buying formulas formulated with silicones.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 26 Oct. 2024
Adjective
There are these stereotypical tropes about the women who choose to have home births…the woo-woo, crystal-slanging, anti-formula, granola mom cult.
—Time, 23 Jan. 2023
Last year, the agency came under fire from members of Congress and others for not heading off a formula shortage that left many parents scrambling to feed their infants.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 25 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for formula
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'formula.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Formula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formula. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
formula
noun
for·mu·la
ˈfȯr-myə-lə
1
a
: a recipe or prescription giving method and proportions of ingredients for the preparation of some material (as a medicine)
b
: a milk mixture or substitute (as one containing soybean protein) for feeding an infant
2
: a symbolic expression showing the composition or constitution of a chemical substance and consisting of symbols for the elements present and subscripts to indicate the relative or total number of atoms present in a molecule
the formula for ethyl alcohol is C2H5OH
see empirical formula, molecular formula, structural formula
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