formation

[ fawr-mey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of forming or the state of being formed:

   the formation of ice.

   Synonyms: organization, establishment

2. the manner in which a thing is formed; disposition of parts; formal structure or arrangement.
3. Military.
   1. a particular disposition of troops, as in columns, squares, etc.
   2. any required assembling of the soldiers of a unit.
4. Geology.
   1. a body of rocks classed as a stratigraphic unit for geologic mapping. Compare member ( def 8 ).
   2. the process of depositing rock or mineral of a particular composition or origin.

formation

/ fɔːˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of giving or taking form, shape, or existence
2. something that is formed
3. the manner in which something is formed or arranged
4. 1. a formal arrangement of a number of persons or things acting as a unit, such as a troop of soldiers, aircraft in flight, or a football team
   2. ( as modifier )

      formation dancing

5. geology
   1. the fundamental lithostratigraphic unit
   2. a series of rocks with certain characteristics in common
6. ecology a community of plants, such as a tropical rainforest, extending over a very large area

formation

/ fôr-mā′shən /

1. A long, mappable body of rock that is recognizable by its physical characteristics and by its location within the rock record.

Derived Forms

• forˈmational, adjective

Other Words From

• for·mation·al adjective
• misfor·mation noun
• nonfor·mation noun
• self-for·mation noun
• subfor·mation noun
• super·for·mation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of formation¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English formacioun, from Latin fōrmātiōn-, stem of fōrmātiō, from fōrmāt(us) “shaped” (past participle of fōrmāre “to shape, fashion”; form ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

“We will need to add one more constraint to flight planning, which is avoiding areas of contrail formation.”

From BBC

It has not displaced X as a hub for the formation of elite public opinion, but it could dent Musk’s monopoly on that kind of discussion if enough power users, politicians, and companies eventually move.

From Slate

And the guardsmen are moving into formation.

From BBC

So, does Amorim tweak his formation, use Fernandes as a false nine or an orthodox midfield player or does he play him as an inside forward with licence to roam.

From BBC

What they hoped was the famed Lockheed Electra 10E Special, serial number 1055, turned out to be an “unfortunate” geologic formation, according to a company statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrangement
• construction
• creation
• design
• development
• evolution
• forming
• pattern
• production
• structure