formula

1 of 2

noun

for·​mu·​la ˈfȯr-myə-lə How to pronounce formula (audio)
plural formulas or formulae ˈfȯr-myə-ˌlē How to pronounce formula (audio)
-ˌlī
1
a
: a set form of words for use in a ceremony or ritual
b
: a conventionalized statement intended to express some fundamental truth or principle especially as a basis for negotiation or action
2
a(1)
: recipe
The product is made using a secret formula that the company refuses to reveal.
(2)
b
: a milk mixture or substitute for feeding an infant
3
a
: a general fact, rule, or principle expressed in usually mathematical symbols
b
: a symbolic expression of the chemical composition or constitution of a substance
c
: a group of symbols (such as letters and numbers) associated to express facts or data (such as the number and kinds of teeth in the jaw) concisely
d
: a combination of signs in a logical calculus
4
: a customary or set form or method allowing little room for originality
All her books were written according to a familiar formula.

formula

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or being an open-wheel open-cockpit rear-engine racing car conforming to prescribed specifications as to size, weight, and engine displacement

Examples of formula in a Sentence

Noun His investment strategy is based on a simple formula. This has proven to be a winning formula. The product is made using a secret formula that the company refuses to reveal. The formula for water is H2O. infants drinking formula instead of their mother's milk
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This blend puts it among the rare formulas that works across most skin types. Deanna Pai, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 The Farmers' Almanac has released extended weather forecasts every year since 1818, using the same forecast formula. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024 Beyond that, shares will be distributed to Redditors and moderators via a formula that accounts for their measurable contributions to the discussion boards. David Hamilton, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2024 Each formula is vegan, cruelty-free, and made without some of the most common toxins. Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2024 But the Heat couldn’t find that winning formula in Dallas. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 Also infused with the shea butter and peptide formula, the Lip Tint has the same sheer but buildable formula in pink (Ribbon), berry (Raspberry Jelly), coffee (Espresso), and rose taupe (Toast). Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2024 Parents arrive at overwhelmed health facilities begging for infant formula. Sana Noor Haq, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 At issue is a new formula in the FAFSA that is used to determine how much a student could pay for their college education. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024
Adjective
There are these stereotypical tropes about the women who choose to have home births…the woo-woo, crystal-slanging, anti-formula, granola mom cult. Time, 23 Jan. 2023 Last year, the agency came under fire from members of Congress and others for not heading off a formula shortage that left many parents scrambling to feed their infants. Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 25 Jan. 2023 Then came a formula shortage that had parents scrambling to feed their kids, just as a bill that would have extended breastfeeding protections at work died in the Senate. Kelsey Butler, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Dec. 2022 Then came a formula shortage that had parents scrambling to feed their kids, just as a bill that would have extended breastfeeding protections at work . Kelsey Butler, Fortune, 22 Dec. 2022 The report comes in the wake of heavy criticism of the agency’s handling of a formula shortage earlier this year. Laura Reiley, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Dec. 2022 Mexico, Chile, Ireland and the Netherlands have a formula supply on hand that may be immediately available, Pelosi told ABC News Sunday. Chelsey Cox, USA TODAY, 16 May 2022 The bill would allow WIC participants to use vouchers on any formula brand, instead of being limited to a brand that could be unavailable. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 18 May 2022

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Latin, diminutive of forma form

First Known Use

Noun

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of formula was in 1618

Dictionary Entries Near formula

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

formula

noun
for·​mu·​la
ˈfȯr-myə-lə
plural formulas or formulae
-ˌlē,
-ˌlī
1
: a set form of words for use in a ceremony or ritual
2
a
: recipe sense 3, prescription
my formula for happiness
b
: a milk mixture or substitute for feeding a baby
3
a
: a general fact or rule expressed in symbols and especially mathematical symbols
b
: an expression in symbols of the composition of a substance
the formula for water is H2O
4
: a required or set form or method
formulaic
ˌfȯr-myə-ˈlā-ik
adjective
formulaically
-ˈlā-ə-k(ə-)lē
adverb

Medical Definition

formula

noun
for·​mu·​la ˈfȯr-myə-lə How to pronounce formula (audio)
plural formulas or formulae -ˌlē How to pronounce formula (audio) -ˌlī How to pronounce formula (audio)
1
a
: a recipe or prescription giving method and proportions of ingredients for the preparation of some material (as a medicine)
b
: a milk mixture or substitute (as one containing soybean protein) for feeding an infant
2
: a symbolic expression showing the composition or constitution of a chemical substance and consisting of symbols for the elements present and subscripts to indicate the relative or total number of atoms present in a molecule
the formula for ethyl alcohol is C2H5OH
see empirical formula, molecular formula, structural formula
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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