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
Synonyms
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
That’s at odds with hypotheses that attribute the formation of the Great Unconformity to large-scale erosion by Snowball Earth ice sheets themselves.
—
Liam Courtney-Davies, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
The company reported formation and operating costs of $550,635 for the quarter, with trust interest income of $486,747 and a gain of $288,000 from the change in fair value of warrants.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024
Yale University is getting in formation with a course dedicated to studying Beyoncé.
—Angela Yang, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024
The two quickly pulled away from Tsunoda as Verstappen made his way through the pack—assisted by the fact that Albon (P7) didn’t start and Lance Stroll (P10) inexplicably beached his car in the gravel on the formation lap (what?).
—Rob Reed, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for formation 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Liam Courtney-Davies, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
The company reported formation and operating costs of $550,635 for the quarter, with trust interest income of $486,747 and a gain of $288,000 from the change in fair value of warrants.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024
Yale University is getting in formation with a course dedicated to studying Beyoncé.
—Angela Yang, NBC News, 10 Nov. 2024
The two quickly pulled away from Tsunoda as Verstappen made his way through the pack—assisted by the fact that Albon (P7) didn’t start and Lance Stroll (P10) inexplicably beached his car in the gravel on the formation lap (what?).
—Rob Reed, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for formation
Dictionary Entries Near formation
Cite this Entry
“Formation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formation. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share