formalize

verb

for·​mal·​ize ˈfȯr-mə-ˌlīz How to pronounce formalize (audio)
formalized; formalizing

transitive verb

1
: to give a certain or definite form to : shape
2
a
: to make formal
b
: to give formal status or approval to
formalizable adjective
formalization noun
formalizer noun

Examples of formalize in a Sentence

The company has formalized its hiring practices. Congress formalized the policy by making it law.
Recent Examples on the Web Observers say the changes further formalized the body’s role as carrying out the directives of the Chinese Communist Party. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 The relationship was formalized with Pune, India’s seventh largest city, in 1992. Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2024 The tradition was formalized as Groundhog Day thanks to Clymer H. Freas, the editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit Newspaper, according to the NWS. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2024 By 2011, conservationists who were working across international borders to breed birds and contain diclofenac formalized into a consortium, known as SAVE, and held the first of many meetings. Meera Subramanian, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2024 Procedures for in-flight births are not formalized: Commonly, as in Debbie Owen’s case, the passenger might be moved to a more spacious and comfortable seat in business or first class, or have an area cleared in the galley. Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Jan. 2024 But Beijing has already rejected the DPP position that Taiwan is a sovereign country under its official name, the Republic of China, and that there is no need to formalize independence and risk conflict. Lily Kuo, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2024 In 1972, China gifted the first panda to US after President Nixon formalized normal relations with China. Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 The judge who ordered former President Donald Trump to pay $354 million in fines, and nearly $100 million in interest, in his civil fraud case in New York denied a request from Trump's lawyers to delay formalizing his decision. Stefan Becket, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of formalize was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near formalize

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

formalize

verb
for·​mal·​ize ˈfȯr-mə-ˌlīz How to pronounce formalize (audio)
formalized; formalizing
1
: to make formal
2
: to give formal rank or approval to
formalization noun
formalizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on formalize

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