format

1 of 2

noun

for·​mat ˈfȯr-ˌmat 

1

: the shape, size, and general makeup (as of something printed)

2

: general plan of organization, arrangement, or choice of material (as for a television show)

3

: a method of organizing data (as for storage)

various file formats

format

2 of 2

verb

formatted; formatting

transitive verb

1

: to arrange (something, such as material to be printed or stored data) in a particular format

2

: to prepare (something, such as a computer disk) for storing data in a particular format

formatter noun

Synonyms

Noun

• arrangement
• configuration
• conformation
• formation
• layout
• setout
• setup

Examples of format in a Sentence

Noun

The journals are available in electronic format.

The file is saved in MP3 format.

Verb

The book is formatted in several different styles.

The data was improperly formatted.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For the holidays, Rado’s True Square Open Heart focuses on a bright white monobloc ceramic model in a softly rounded square format, which is easy on the eyes and skin. —Fairchild Studio, WWD, 7 Dec. 2024

The 2024 election saw both President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris embrace non-traditional methods of appealing to voters, with podcasts emerging as one of the key formats. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Verb

Everything seems to be formatted and interrupted all the time. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024

Here’s how to format your text in the Messages app: Open a conversation in the Messages app. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French or German; French, from German, from Latin formatus, past participle of formare to form, from forma

First Known Use

Noun

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1964, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing format

• pre-format

Kids Definition

format

1 of 2 noun

for·​mat ˈfȯ(ə)r-ˌmat 

1

: the general organization or arrangement of something

2

: a method of organizing data (as for storage)

a file format

format

2 of 2 verb

formatted; formatting

1

: to produce in a particular format

2

: to prepare for storing computer data

format the disk