form

1 of 4

noun

plural forms
1
a
: the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material
the building's massive form
b
: a body (as of a person) especially in its external appearance or as distinguished from the face : figure
the female form
c
archaic : beauty
2
: the essential nature of a thing as distinguished from its matter: such as
b
: the component of a thing that determines its kind
3
a
: established method of expression or proceeding : procedure according to rule or rote
also : a standard or expectation based on past experience : precedent
true to form, the champions won again
b
: a prescribed and set order of words : formula
the form of the marriage service
4
: a printed or typed document with blank spaces for insertion of required or requested information
tax forms
5
a(1)
: conduct regulated by extraneous (see extraneous sense 1) controls (as of custom or etiquette) : ceremony
(2)
: show without substance
b
: manner or conduct as tested by a prescribed or accepted standard
rudeness is simply bad form
c
: manner or style of performing or accomplishing according to recognized standards of technique
a strong swimmer but weak on form
6
a
: the resting place or nest of a hare
b
: a long seat : bench
7
a
: a supporting frame model of the human figure or part (such as the torso) of the human figure usually used for displaying apparel
b
: a proportioned and often adjustable model for fitting clothes
c
: a mold in which concrete is placed to set
8
: the printing type or other matter arranged and secured in a chase ready for printing
9
a
: one of the different modes of existence, action, or manifestation of a particular thing or substance : kind
one form of respiratory disorder
a form of art
b
: a distinguishable group of organisms
d
: one of the different aspects a word may take as a result of inflection or change of spelling or pronunciation
verbal forms
e
: a mathematical expression of a particular type
a bilinear form
a polynomial form
10
a(1)
: orderly method of arrangement (as in the presentation of ideas) : manner of coordinating elements (as of an artistic production or course of reasoning)
(2)
: a particular kind or instance of such arrangement
the sonnet is a poetical form
b
: pattern, schema
arguments of the same logical form
c
: the structural element, plan, or design of a work of art compare content sense 2c
d
: a visible and measurable unit defined by a contour : a bounded surface or volume
11
: a grade in a British school or in some American private schools
12
a(1)
: the past performance of a race horse
(2)
b
: known ability to perform
a singer at the top of her form
c
: condition suitable for performing (as in athletic competition)
back on form

see also take form

form

2 of 4

verb

formed; forming; forms

transitive verb

1
a
: to give a particular shape to : shape or mold into a certain state or after a particular model
form the dough into a ball
a state formed along republican lines
b
: to arrange themselves in
the dancers formed a line
c
: to model by instruction and discipline
a mind formed by classical education
2
: to give form or shape to : fashion, construct
She formed the dough into balls.
3
: to serve to make up or constitute : be an essential or basic element of
Bonds formed the bulk of his estate.
4
: develop, acquire
form a habit
5
: to arrange in order : draw up
The battalion was formed into squares for all-around defense.
6
a
: to assume an inflection so as to produce (a form, such as a tense)
forms the past in -ed
b
: to combine to make (a compound word)
"motor" and "cycle" form "motorcycle"

intransitive verb

1
: to become formed or shaped
A clot was forming over the cut.
2
: to take form : come into existence : arise
Storm clouds were forming over the hills.
3
: to take on a definite form, shape, or arrangement
the platoon formed in columns
formability noun
formable adjective

form-

3 of 4

combining form

variants or formo-
: formic acid
formate
: in the form or shape of : resembling
filiform
Phrases
form on
: to take up a formation next to

Examples of form in a Sentence

Noun Coal is a form of carbon. a rare form of cancer a popular form of entertainment an ancient form of music the written form of the language a style of architecture that emphasizes form over function The shadowy forms of several people were visible through the smoke. Verb The friendship that they formed in school lasted a lifetime. Her early experiences played an important role in forming her personality. His ideas were not yet fully formed. The drug can help prevent blood clots from forming. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. A plan was gradually forming in my mind. A plan was gradually forming itself in my mind. An angry crowd was forming in the streets.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The American Jewish Committee argues anti-Zionism is a form of antisemitism. Mike Stunson, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 Ultimately, cannabis use of any form isn’t risk-free. Syeda Khaula Saad, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2024 The form needed to be signed before Reece could participate. The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2024 Witness one of the newest forms of jazz at Cliff Bell’s, only this weekend in downtown Detroit. Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 7 Mar. 2024 Speros says rules vary widely from place to place among the 39 states (and counting) that allow some form of legal wagering. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 By Ian Bogost The word search is perhaps the lowest form of puzzle. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2024 Procedural dramas — legal, medical, homicidal — are a durable form of comfort television, with familiar bands of lawyers, doctors and cops solving thorny problems in about 45 minutes of screen time. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Writing for the majority, John Roberts, the chief justice, asserted that affirmative action is in itself a form of discrimination. Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
Participants can bring a pet and can join a team, form a team or join individually or be a sponsor. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 This formed a huge inspiration behind her record-breaking run in Antarctica, taking on a challenge that no other woman had attempted before. George Ramsay, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Yari has formed a new production and releasing engine called Magenta Light Studios. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 The band formed in 1984 and released its first full-length, GodWeenSatan: The Oneness, in 1990. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 That’s when Noseda and her friends formed their Charlie-watch party. Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 Sorcha Costello brought the crowd to a standstill with her fiddle, and a massive line of new fans formed to buy both of their CDs, just to support these young talented people and music. Lori Nickel, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 The microbes then form the base of the food web in hydrothermal vents and methane seeps, sustaining bigger creatures, including crabs, mussels, and soft-bodied polychaete worms like Pectinereis strickrotti. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2024 Last year, Paules spent the better part of six months putting together about 50,000 Lego pieces to form a replica of Dulles Airport’s iconic passenger terminal, designed by Finnish American architect Eero Saarinen in 1958. Joe Heim, Washington Post, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'form.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English forme, from Anglo-French furme, forme, from Latin forma form, beauty

Combining form

formic

Adjective combining form

French & Latin; French -forme, from Latin -formis, from forma

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of form was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near form

Cite this Entry

“Form.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/form. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

form

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material
b
: a body (as of a person) especially in its outward appearance or as distinguished from the face
2
a
: an established manner of doing or saying something
a form of worship
b
: a standard or expectation based on past experience
true to form, the champions won again
3
: a document with blank spaces for inserting information
a tax form
4
a
: conduct determined by custom : ceremony, convention
also : display without meaning
the usual forms upon being introduced
b
: manner of behaving according to recognized standards
it's bad form not to wait for your turn
5
: a long seat : bench
6
a
: a model of the human figure used for displaying clothes
b
: a mold in which concrete is placed to set
7
: one of the different varieties of a particular thing or substance
coal is a form of carbon
8
: any of the different pronunciations or spellings a word may take in inflection or compounding
9
: a special way of stating a mathematical expression
the number 2.5 can be written in fractional form as ⁵⁄₂
10
a
: orderly method of arrangement
also : a kind or instance of such arrangement
painting is an art form
b
: the structural element, plan, or design of a work of art
11
: a surface or space enclosed by mathematical boundaries
12
: a grade in a British secondary school or in some American private schools
13
a
: ability as shown by past performance
b
: condition for performing
in top form

form

2 of 2 verb
1
: to give form or shape to : fashion, make
form the letter A
2
: instruct sense 1, train
education forms the mind
3
: make up sense 2, constitute
a hat formed of straw
4
: develop sense 5, acquire
form a habit
5
: to arrange in order
form a line
6
: to take form : arise
fog forms in the valleys
7
: to take a definite form, shape, or arrangement
the customers formed in lines
former noun

Medical Definition

form

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material
b
: a body (as of a person) especially in its external appearance or as distinguished from the face
2
: a distinguishable group of organisms
used especially to avoid taxonomic implications

form

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to give a particular shape to : shape or mold into a certain state or after a particular model

intransitive verb

: to become formed or shaped
a clot formed over the cut

Legal Definition

form

noun
1
: the structure of something (as a document) as distinguished from its matter
a defect in form, not substance
2
: established procedure according to rule or practice see also form of action
3
: a printed or typed document with blank spaces for insertion of required or requested information
tax forms

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