formulate

[ fawr-myuh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, for·mu·lat·ed, for·mu·lat·ing.

1. to express in precise form; state definitely or systematically:

   He finds it extremely difficult to formulate his new theory.

   Synonyms: specify, define, compose, frame, articulate

2. to devise or develop, as a method, system, etc.
3. to reduce to or express in a formula.

formulate

/ ˈfɔːmjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. to put into or express in systematic terms; express in or as if in a formula
2. to devise

Derived Forms

• ˈformuˌlator, noun

Other Words From

• for·mu·la·ble [fawr, -my, uh, -l, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• formu·lation noun
• formu·lator noun
• nonfor·mu·lation noun
• pre·formu·late verb (used with object) preformulated preformulating
• prefor·mu·lation noun
• un·formu·lated adjective
• well-formu·lated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of formulate¹

First recorded in 1855–60; formul(a) + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Decision making is about formulating alternative plans of action, considering their consequences, and choosing between them.

From Quartz

It’s possible, the third employee speculated, that the lack of a strategy being communicated could be the result of their company’s top leaders formulating an overall strategy that has yet to trickle down.

From Digiday

And, as the Democrats’ platform and policy plans are formulated, the Sanders wing of the party has continued to play this role.

From FiveThirtyEight

The idea was formulated at the tail end of the Cold War as a multinational collaboration, but design work didn’t properly start until the turn of the millennium, and its parent organization wasn’t launched until 2007.

From Singularity Hub 

We have since engaged in detailed conversations with Facebook and are pleased to see their new commitments based on a four-point action plan formulated by the Global Alliance for Responsible Media.

From Digiday

There were wiki pages where users could jointly formulate and debate the rules.

From The Daily Beast

After reading the script for this episode, did you formulate any theories about why the Terminans do what they do?

From The Daily Beast

He asked Vice President Joe Biden to help formulate ways to curb gun violence.

From The Daily Beast

It works with members of Congress and the Obama administration to formulate center-left progressive policies.

From The Daily Beast

So yes, there was a change in that we applied those algorithms, or the results there-of, to formulate the "who"/"what" response.

From The Daily Beast

He attempted to formulate some plans in his mind, and after a time it occurred to him that he should go back West to Gregory.

From Project Gutenberg

He even began to formulate plans by which he could lure the unsuspecting Peter Levine into telling what he knew.

From Project Gutenberg

Bristow did not have time or need to formulate an excuse for his presence before Mr. Fulton rushed up the steps to meet Maria.

From Project Gutenberg

It is hardly possible of course from a distance of 57 miles to formulate an accurate idea of a mountain's shape.

From Project Gutenberg

He toiled in the daytime to formulate his thoughts for the evening.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• codify
• define
• develop
• devise
• draft
• draw up
• forge
• map
• prepare
• work out