form

1 of 4

noun

plural forms
1
a
: the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material
the building's massive form
b
: a body (as of a person) especially in its external appearance or as distinguished from the face : figure
the female form
c
archaic : beauty
2
: the essential nature of a thing as distinguished from its matter: such as
b
: the component of a thing that determines its kind
3
a
: established method of expression or proceeding : procedure according to rule or rote
also : a standard or expectation based on past experience : precedent
true to form, the champions won again
b
: a prescribed and set order of words : formula
the form of the marriage service
4
: a printed or typed document with blank spaces for insertion of required or requested information
tax forms
5
a(1)
: conduct regulated by extraneous (see extraneous sense 1) controls (as of custom or etiquette) : ceremony
(2)
: show without substance
b
: manner or conduct as tested by a prescribed or accepted standard
rudeness is simply bad form
c
: manner or style of performing or accomplishing according to recognized standards of technique
a strong swimmer but weak on form
6
a
: the resting place or nest of a hare
b
: a long seat : bench
7
a
: a supporting frame model of the human figure or part (such as the torso) of the human figure usually used for displaying apparel
b
: a proportioned and often adjustable model for fitting clothes
c
: a mold in which concrete is placed to set
8
: the printing type or other matter arranged and secured in a chase ready for printing
9
a
: one of the different modes of existence, action, or manifestation of a particular thing or substance : kind
one form of respiratory disorder
a form of art
b
: a distinguishable group of organisms
d
: one of the different aspects a word may take as a result of inflection or change of spelling or pronunciation
verbal forms
e
: a mathematical expression of a particular type
a bilinear form
a polynomial form
10
a(1)
: orderly method of arrangement (as in the presentation of ideas) : manner of coordinating elements (as of an artistic production or course of reasoning)
(2)
: a particular kind or instance of such arrangement
the sonnet is a poetical form
b
: pattern, schema
arguments of the same logical form
c
: the structural element, plan, or design of a work of art compare content sense 2c
d
: a visible and measurable unit defined by a contour : a bounded surface or volume
11
: a grade in a British school or in some American private schools
12
a(1)
: the past performance of a race horse
(2)
b
: known ability to perform
a singer at the top of her form
c
: condition suitable for performing (as in athletic competition)
back on form

see also take form

form

2 of 4

verb

formed; forming; forms

transitive verb

1
a
: to give a particular shape to : shape or mold into a certain state or after a particular model
form the dough into a ball
a state formed along republican lines
b
: to arrange themselves in
the dancers formed a line
c
: to model by instruction and discipline
a mind formed by classical education
2
: to give form or shape to : fashion, construct
She formed the dough into balls.
3
: to serve to make up or constitute : be an essential or basic element of
Bonds formed the bulk of his estate.
4
: develop, acquire
form a habit
5
: to arrange in order : draw up
The battalion was formed into squares for all-around defense.
6
a
: to assume an inflection so as to produce (a form, such as a tense)
forms the past in -ed
b
: to combine to make (a compound word)
"motor" and "cycle" form "motorcycle"

intransitive verb

1
: to become formed or shaped
A clot was forming over the cut.
2
: to take form : come into existence : arise
Storm clouds were forming over the hills.
3
: to take on a definite form, shape, or arrangement
the platoon formed in columns
formability noun
formable adjective

form-

3 of 4

combining form

variants or formo-
: formic acid
formate
: in the form or shape of : resembling
filiform
Phrases
form on
: to take up a formation next to

Examples of form in a Sentence

Noun Coal is a form of carbon. a rare form of cancer a popular form of entertainment an ancient form of music the written form of the language a style of architecture that emphasizes form over function The shadowy forms of several people were visible through the smoke. Verb The friendship that they formed in school lasted a lifetime. Her early experiences played an important role in forming her personality. His ideas were not yet fully formed. The drug can help prevent blood clots from forming. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. A plan was gradually forming in my mind. A plan was gradually forming itself in my mind. An angry crowd was forming in the streets.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Collusion between Trump and Putin in the form of, say, a bogus peace pledge would therefore make perfect political sense. Benn Steil, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2024 The form’s peculiar place in the art of movies is inseparable from the reasons for its exceptional prominence in the business. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024 But both their art and their home are defined by play as well as rigor, a mastery over shape and form. Hanya Yanagihara, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 The new flavor will be available everywhere Blue Bell is sold, so everyone can experience the St. Louis staple in ice cream form. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 18 Mar. 2024 The final rule applies to chrysotile asbestos, the only form of asbestos currently being used or imported to the United States. Jen Christensen, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 Sweaters seemed to animate, embracing their wearers in a dance of fabric and form. Samuel Petrequin, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 Of that total, Amazon contributed roughly 709 million pounds — enough to circle the Earth more than 800 times — in the form of its air pillow packaging. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Verb
Under his leadership, the bureau doubled its membership and formed a political action committee to work on behalf of the bureau that raised funds to successfully defeat a county initiative that would have limited the growth of wineries. Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 The City Seal Ad Hoc Subcommittee was formed in March and community engagement commenced. Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum will form the core of an $8 billion ice cream company The world’s biggest ice cream business is about to go it alone, reports CNN’s Hanna Ziady. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024 Mack could almost hear the constable’s brow furrow at this, and turned to him in time to see his mouth open as words of confusion and disbelief began to form in his larynx. Quartz Staff, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 Fertilizer When the flower buds begin to form in early spring, fertilize Easter lilies with fertilizer containing a high phosphorus content, such as a 5-10-5 formulation. Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2024 Two of those watchmakers have come together today to form a new brand and launch their first watch. Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 18 Mar. 2024 Thousands of people did come out at noon, forming long lines in cities across Russia, as well as at embassies in foreign capitals where overseas voting was held. Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2024 The office of the public access counselor was formed by former Gov. Frank O'Bannon through an executive order in 1998 and then codified by the General Assembly in 1999. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'form.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English forme, from Anglo-French furme, forme, from Latin forma form, beauty

Combining form

formic

Adjective combining form

French & Latin; French -forme, from Latin -formis, from forma

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of form was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near form

Cite this Entry

“Form.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/form. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

form

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material
b
: a body (as of a person) especially in its outward appearance or as distinguished from the face
2
a
: an established manner of doing or saying something
a form of worship
b
: a standard or expectation based on past experience
true to form, the champions won again
3
: a document with blank spaces for inserting information
a tax form
4
a
: conduct determined by custom : ceremony, convention
also : display without meaning
the usual forms upon being introduced
b
: manner of behaving according to recognized standards
it's bad form not to wait for your turn
5
: a long seat : bench
6
a
: a model of the human figure used for displaying clothes
b
: a mold in which concrete is placed to set
7
: one of the different varieties of a particular thing or substance
coal is a form of carbon
8
: any of the different pronunciations or spellings a word may take in inflection or compounding
9
: a special way of stating a mathematical expression
the number 2.5 can be written in fractional form as ⁵⁄₂
10
a
: orderly method of arrangement
also : a kind or instance of such arrangement
painting is an art form
b
: the structural element, plan, or design of a work of art
11
: a surface or space enclosed by mathematical boundaries
12
: a grade in a British secondary school or in some American private schools
13
a
: ability as shown by past performance
b
: condition for performing
in top form

form

2 of 2 verb
1
: to give form or shape to : fashion, make
form the letter A
2
: instruct sense 1, train
education forms the mind
3
: make up sense 2, constitute
a hat formed of straw
4
: develop sense 5, acquire
form a habit
5
: to arrange in order
form a line
6
: to take form : arise
fog forms in the valleys
7
: to take a definite form, shape, or arrangement
the customers formed in lines
former noun

Medical Definition

form

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material
b
: a body (as of a person) especially in its external appearance or as distinguished from the face
2
: a distinguishable group of organisms
used especially to avoid taxonomic implications

form

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to give a particular shape to : shape or mold into a certain state or after a particular model

intransitive verb

: to become formed or shaped
a clot formed over the cut

Legal Definition

form

noun
1
: the structure of something (as a document) as distinguished from its matter
a defect in form, not substance
2
: established procedure according to rule or practice see also form of action
3
: a printed or typed document with blank spaces for insertion of required or requested information
tax forms

More from Merriam-Webster on form

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