formalize
verb
for·mal·ize
ˈfȯr-mə-ˌlīz 
formalized; formalizing
1
: to give a certain or definite form to : shape
2
a
: to make formal
b
: to give formal status or approval to
Examples of formalize in a Sentence
The company has formalized its hiring practices.
Congress formalized the policy by making it law.
Recent Examples on the Web
To a large extent, the CRA simply formalizes cybersecurity practices and features as mandatory minimum standards.
—
Stephanie Domas, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
The memorandum of understanding, which would formalize the terms of ICE’s office on Rikers, has not yet been completed.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
And in Sri Lanka, the hotel group Resplendent Ceylon has formalized a network of 14 footpaths that cut through forests and tea fields.
—Mary Holland, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2025
The Treaty Principles Bill sought to define the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi – an agreement signed between the British Crown and a group of indigenous Māori leaders in the 1840s, which formalized New Zealand as a British colony and reserved Māori land and customary rights.
—Todd Symons, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formalize
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Stephanie Domas, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
The memorandum of understanding, which would formalize the terms of ICE’s office on Rikers, has not yet been completed.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
And in Sri Lanka, the hotel group Resplendent Ceylon has formalized a network of 14 footpaths that cut through forests and tea fields.
—Mary Holland, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2025
The Treaty Principles Bill sought to define the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi – an agreement signed between the British Crown and a group of indigenous Māori leaders in the 1840s, which formalized New Zealand as a British colony and reserved Māori land and customary rights.
—Todd Symons, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formalize
Cite this Entry
“Formalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formalize. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
formalize
verb
for·mal·ize
ˈfȯr-mə-ˌlīz
formalized; formalizing
1
: to make formal
2
: to give formal rank or approval to
formalizer
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share