formation
Formation (noun) means the process of coming together or taking shape. Example: “The formation of the new company took over a year.”
How to Use Formation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the process of something taking shape, or a group arranged in a set pattern.
Word Forms
formations plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the new company took over a year.
Etymology
From Latin formatio, "a shaping," from formare, "to form" — the same root behind "format" and "formula."
Related Words
Rhymes for formation
See all rhymes for formation →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “formation” mean?
The word “formation” means the process of coming together or taking shape. In plain terms, either the process of something taking shape, or a group arranged in a set pattern.
How do you pronounce “formation”?
“Formation” is pronounced faw-MAYSHN (/fɔɹˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/ in IPA).
How do you use “formation” in a sentence?
Here is “formation” used in a sentence: “The formation of the new company took over a year.”
What part of speech is “formation”?
“Formation” is a noun.
Where does the word “formation” come from?
The word “formation” comes from Latin. From Latin formatio, "a shaping," from formare, "to form" — the same root behind "format" and "formula.".
Is “formation” a common word?
“Formation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “formation” have?
“Formation” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the process of coming together or taking shape.
What is an example of formation?
The formation of a cloud is water vapour coming together into a visible shape. You can also speak of the formation of a company, the formation of ice, or the formation of a plan — in each case something is taking shape or coming into being from separate parts.
What is the difference between formation and creation?
Creation stresses bringing something entirely new into existence, often by a maker. Formation stresses the process by which parts come together and take shape, which can happen naturally and gradually. Rock formation happens over ages without a maker; a work of art is a creation.
What are the types of formation?
The word is used across many fields. In geology, a formation is a distinct body of rock; in the military and sport, it is an arrangement of people, like a battle or team formation; in flying, aircraft move in formation. All share the core idea of ordered shape or arrangement.
What is the opposite of formation?
The natural opposites describe things coming apart rather than together — dissolution, breakup or disintegration. If the formation of a group is its coming together, its dissolution is its breaking up. Destruction is the opposite when formation means creation.