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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Villanova will leave the Big 5 at the end of the 2026-2027 season and the series will continue with five teams starting next season in a round-robin format. — CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Both teams know the series isn't done yet as the WNBA has a best-of-seven format for the second year. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 The film was designed with Imax and other premium large formats in mind, and the production mixes Indian and international talent. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026 Yes, the shift back to The Chase format was popular amongst hardcore NASCAR fans. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for format
Recent Examples of Synonyms for format
Noun
  • According to the layout document, Russian delegates were seated between attendees from South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • To accommodate the growth, the fair will also revise its layout.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Instead of manufacturing and physically testing hundreds of battery designs, engineers used computer models to evaluate more than 300,000 possible configurations before producing a prototype.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The room is a design flex of its own — velvet banquettes, rich purples, cerulean blues, gold and marble, with art exclusively by women.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The program also aims to make the systems easier for soldiers to operate, potentially allowing units outside traditional air defence formations to employ laser weapons against incoming drones.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • These changes would reduce costs, free up management bandwidth and improve IPO formation incentives.
    — Jeff Jacobs, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Water conditions, food sources and even the composition of the seafloor can influence their flavor and appearance.
    — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, Hugo says the case encompasses a much broader body of work stemming from compositions the two created during nearly 50 studio sessions between 2019 and 2021.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The new plans also include more changes to the project's lighting and traffic patterns.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The event also includes homemade cookies, beverages and a commemorative teacup and saucer or a mug with a collectable china pattern.
    — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • For the third straight year, BNY found that AI ranked as the most compelling investment theme for the next five years, cited by 68% of respondents.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Affordability is a major theme of the upcoming midterm elections — one that could have implications for how people vote in November.
    — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Format.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/format. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster