formalize
verb
for·mal·ize
ˈfȯr-mə-ˌlīz 
formalized; formalizing
1
: to give a certain or definite form to : shape
2
a
: to make formal
b
: to give formal status or approval to
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
The 2019 Business Roundtable statement abandoning shareholder primacy for stakeholder capitalism formalized what successful executives had already recognized: The days when charismatic founders could mandate cultural transformation through executive decree had ended.
—
Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
The City Council’s approval of the measure would simply formalize that cooperation.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2025
The Trump administration has not officially formalized a 50% tariff on Brazil nor provided a mechanism for how it would be levied.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
That tariff was slightly reduced in Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s July 14 announcement formalizing the plans to withdraw.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for formalize
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Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
The City Council’s approval of the measure would simply formalize that cooperation.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2025
The Trump administration has not officially formalized a 50% tariff on Brazil nor provided a mechanism for how it would be levied.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
That tariff was slightly reduced in Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s July 14 announcement formalizing the plans to withdraw.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for formalize
Cite this Entry
“Formalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formalize. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
formalize
verb
for·mal·ize
ˈfȯr-mə-ˌlīz
formalized; formalizing
1
: to make formal
2
: to give formal rank or approval to
formalizer
noun
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