Definition of formatnext
1
as in layout
the way in which something is sized, arranged, or organized the book's format is very user-friendly

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2
as in design
the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged this abstract painter bases the format of his works on color and its subtle gradations and not line or form

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of format But YouTube has typically leaned towards longer formats than those platforms. Moises Mendez Ii, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 The format was different than normal, as each team’s five players played each hole together. Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026 The format was developed during an era when Hollywood was attempting to combat the rising popularity of television. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Is all of mathematical knowledge out there in some kind of textual or video format? Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for format
Recent Examples of Synonyms for format
Noun
  • Bitcoin got a boost after the White House hosted crypto leaders and urged Congress to pass the Clarity Act, a bill focused on crypto infrastructure and clearer layout on which federal agencies would regulate crypto.
    Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The layout of Homey, operated out of a hybrid office-store, unfolds residence-like, from living room to dining room, from kitchen to family room.
    Judy Sutton Taylor, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Vintage Modern builds custom cars by hand at its Buford facility, using classic designs as the inspiration while incorporating modern engineering and amenities.
    Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Portuguese touches are incorporated here too; the blanket on the bed comes from Burel and is made using wool from Serra de Estrela sheep into colorful, contemporary designs.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The researchers argue that the enormous cliff system triggered prolonged erosion that stripped away vast amounts of rock and helped expose some of North America’s oldest geological formations.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Penn State campus happens to sit on a karst formation, where water has slowly altered limestone bedrock, potentially creating a variety of weak spots.
    John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Treasury is managing yields, which looks like monetary policy, while the Fed’s balance sheet works mainly through the composition of government debt, which looks like fiscal policy.
    James Broughel, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • As nickel leaves the material, its composition and electronic structure change, reducing catalytic performance.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The pattern was quite different when researchers looked at waist circumference.
    Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Human Rights Scores dataset has not been updated past 2021, but HRMI’s data collected since that time suggests that the pattern has continued.
    K. Chad Clay, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Jacksonville has a successful Triple-A franchise, the Jumbo Shrimp, that won its league last year, bringing fun theme nights, quirky mascots and between-inning craziness.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
  • It was also applied to various New York acts – the Ramones, the New York Dolls, Richard Hell – who experimented with outlandish outfits, back-to-basics songwriting, and themes of teenage alienation.
    The Week UK, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Format.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/format. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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