format

noun

ˈfȯr-ˌmat How to pronounce format (audio)
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

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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

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 Having effectively launched the four-team CFP format in 2014, ESPN has maintained its status as the exclusive rights holder ever since. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Each version features the cast of autistic and neurodivergent interviewers audiences, who collectively quiz celebrities in an ask-anything interview format. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 Instagram is filled with videos like this, often inexplicably following very specific formats. — Mia Sato, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026 OpenTable’s 2026 Dining Trends Highlights interest in happy-hour dining and experiential formats, offering options for diners who want a memorable experience without a hefty bill. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for format
Recent Examples of Synonyms for format
  1. layout
  2. design
  3. formation
  4. composition
  5. pattern
  6. theme
Noun
  • The 128 is semi-custom, like previous models, meaning owners can pick from a wide array of interior finishes, layouts, and furnishings.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Thanks to the home's single-level layout, there's plenty of headroom to stand up and move around.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of layout
Noun
  • Such designs can help militaries integrate new equipment without rebuilding their entire communications infrastructure around a single platform.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The handbag would go on to become one of Fendi’s most celebrated designs.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of design
Noun
  • Shy, nerdy and a pacifist by nature, Pavi has a personality, if one that’s still in formation.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Meteorologists say Isaias’s late formation is largely because of the presence of El Niño, a pattern of unusually warm ocean waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean that can alter weather patterns across the planet.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of formation
Noun
  • And this change—subtle but enormous, accreting, over decades, through various currents and ecologies of selection, like a change in the composition of pearls—has altered our collective sense of what comedy is.
    — Dan Brooks, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In contrast, other oxides rose over time, suggesting that the newly arriving material has a distinct chemical composition.
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of composition
Noun
  • In other words, the hat is a shape that can infinitely tile, or cover, a 2D surface without ever creating a repeating pattern.
    — Rachel Crowell, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Luna implores Yue, recently divorced, not to get stuck in a holding pattern, either in her career or her relationships — but Luna, too, needs to make some changes.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of pattern
Noun
  • But the seeds are planted quickly for weightier themes to be explored later.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The two biggest themes in the letter address OpenAI’s ability to monitor its advanced models and its engagement with third-party safety organizations, such as METR.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of theme

Browse Nearby Words

formals
format
formation
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Cite this Entry

“Format.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/format. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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