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
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
Our solar system may be much larger than thought
— What cosmic object 'Arrokoth' can tell us about our solar system's formation
— Could an 'Earth-like' planet be hiding in our solar system's outer reaches?
—
Victoria Corless, Space.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Combined with their latest findings, researchers are better understanding the progression from a baby’s earlier statistical learning formations to the development of episodic memories.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 Mar. 2025
In terms of formation, for example, both largely favoured an old-school English 4-4-2.
—Michael Cox, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
The formation of the death cross could raise warning signals for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the broader economy, according to Dow theory.
—Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formation
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Victoria Corless, Space.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Combined with their latest findings, researchers are better understanding the progression from a baby’s earlier statistical learning formations to the development of episodic memories.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 21 Mar. 2025
In terms of formation, for example, both largely favoured an old-school English 4-4-2.
—Michael Cox, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
The formation of the death cross could raise warning signals for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the broader economy, according to Dow theory.
—Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formation
Cite this Entry
“Formation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formation. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
formation
noun
for·ma·tion
fȯr-ˈmā-shən
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
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