formation
faw-MAYSHN
Formation (noun) means the process of coming together or taking shape. Example: “The formation of the new company took over a year.”
noun
1
The process of coming together or taking shape.
"The formation of the new company took over a year."
"Cloud formation depends on temperature and humidity."
"The formation of ice on the pond happens slowly during cold nights."
2
A group of people, vehicles, or aircraft arranged in a particular pattern.
"The jets flew in tight formation over the stadium."
"The marching band walked onto the pitch in a neat formation."
"Geese fly south in a V formation every autumn."
3
A layer or body of rock with a shared origin, studied in geology.
"The canyon walls reveal rock formations millions of years old."
"The geologist explained how this limestone formation was laid down in an ancient sea."
"Students visited a coastal cliff to study each formation in the rock layers."
How to use formation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the process of something taking shape, or a group arranged in a set pattern.
Common pairings
rock formation
in formation
formation of a plan
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Word forms
- Plural
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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."
Synonyms
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creation
development
establishment
making
shaping
emergence
constitution
organization
organisation
geological formation
Related words
Rhymes for formation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
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.
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