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
Prior to the 20th Amendment, which in 1933 formalized the swearing in of new members of Congress to Jan. 3 and new Presidents from March 4 to Jan. 20, the Annual Message was typically delivered in December.
—
Chad De Guzman, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
The uncertain international situation and Germany's internal problems both put pressure on CDU and SDP to formalize a government by then.
—Mattias Goldmann, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Republicans have just a three-vote majority in the House, and lawmakers in the upper and lower chamber have not been able to agree on an approach to passing legislation that formalizes Trump's agenda.
—Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
Zoom in: Some eight decades after Washington's death, lawmakers formalized the unofficial birthday festivities honoring the Father of His Country, adding Feb. 22 to the short list of federal holidays, according to a Prologue article by historian C.L. Arbelbide in the National Archives.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formalize
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Chad De Guzman, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
The uncertain international situation and Germany's internal problems both put pressure on CDU and SDP to formalize a government by then.
—Mattias Goldmann, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Republicans have just a three-vote majority in the House, and lawmakers in the upper and lower chamber have not been able to agree on an approach to passing legislation that formalizes Trump's agenda.
—Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
Zoom in: Some eight decades after Washington's death, lawmakers formalized the unofficial birthday festivities honoring the Father of His Country, adding Feb. 22 to the short list of federal holidays, according to a Prologue article by historian C.L. Arbelbide in the National Archives.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 17 Feb. 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 9 Mar. 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
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