formation

noun

for·​ma·​tion fȯr-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce formation (audio)
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 Over the next 75 million to 80 million years, the continents slowly separated, and titanosaurs drifted along with the changing formations, becoming distributed worldwide. Kristi Curry Rogers, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024 When the company was a small upstart, Keen regularly listed his name on the formation documents of the company and its various subsidiaries in states across America. William Turton, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2024 Nominations also come with videos, which range from slick documentaries to extravaganzas of patriotic kitsch; in Turkmenistan’s showcase of Akhal-Teke horse breeding, stirring music plays as herds thunder across an open field and children in riding costume dance in formation. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2024 After this evolutionary split, apes evolved the formation of fewer tail vertebrae. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 Feb. 2024 The ballot initiative has led to the formation of two rival political action committees. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024 Since then, adventurers have flocked to witness the lake formation for themselves and wade out into its waters. Haven't been yet? USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024 Garber announced the formation of the task force on January 19, just 38 days ago. Matt Egan, CNN, 25 Feb. 2024 This serene oasis, conceived through a collaboration between the Nunnery and the Hong Kong government, beckons with its ancient rock formations at The Rockery, captivating bonsai exhibitions, and the inviting ambiance of the Song Chai Xie teahouse. Kissa Castañeda, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of formation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near formation

Cite this Entry

“Formation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

formation

noun
for·​ma·​tion fȯr-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce formation (audio)
1
: a forming of something
2
: something formed
3
: the manner in which a thing is formed : structure, shape
4
: a bed of rocks or series of beds recognizable as a unit
5
: an arrangement or grouping of persons, ships, or airplanes

Medical Definition

formation

noun
for·​ma·​tion fȯr-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce formation (audio)
1
: an act of giving form or shape to something or of taking form : development
2
: the manner in which a thing is formed : structure

More from Merriam-Webster on formation

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