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

That’s at odds with hypotheses that attribute the formation of the Great Unconformity to large-scale erosion by Snowball Earth ice sheets themselves. —Liam Courtney-Davies, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024

The company reported formation and operating costs of $550,635 for the quarter, with trust interest income of $486,747 and a gain of $288,000 from the change in fair value of warrants. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024

Yale University is getting in formation with a course dedicated to studying Beyoncé. —Angela Yang, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024

The two quickly pulled away from Tsunoda as Verstappen made his way through the pack—assisted by the fact that Albon (P7) didn’t start and Lance Stroll (P10) inexplicably beached his car in the gravel on the formation lap (what?). —Rob Reed, Forbes, 4 Nov. 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