format

1 of 2

noun

for·​mat ˈfȯr-ˌmat 

1

: the shape, size, and general makeup (as of something printed)

2

: general plan of organization, arrangement, or choice of material (as for a television show)

3

: a method of organizing data (as for storage)

various file formats

format

2 of 2

verb

formatted; formatting

transitive verb

1

: to arrange (something, such as material to be printed or stored data) in a particular format

2

: to prepare (something, such as a computer disk) for storing data in a particular format

formatter noun

Synonyms of format

Noun

• layout
• formation

Examples of format in a Sentence

Noun

The journals are available in electronic format.

The file is saved in MP3 format.

Verb

The book is formatted in several different styles.

The data was improperly formatted.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

It can be stripped through re-saving or format conversion, which is why the two systems are meant to complement each other. — Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

In the middle of all of this, after several Housewives franchises have been flatlining in recent years, a new addition has breathed life into the format and quickly garnered fans. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

Verb

All photo modes support JPG or Raw+JPG file formatting with either a standard color (good for even lighting and action scenes) or HDR (best for still scenes with less subject movement). — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 12 Aug. 2026

There are also new voice-to-text tools that remove filler words and clean up formatting, while writing assistance can use what’s on your screen to help draft, rewrite, and refine messages. — Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French or German; French, from German, from Latin formatus, past participle of formare to form, from forma

First Known Use

Noun

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1964, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing format

• pre-format

Rhymes for format

• begat
• bobcat
• chitchat
• doormat
• ducat
• eclat
• hazmat
• muskrat
• nonfat
• polecat
• thereat
• tomcat

Kids Definition

format

1 of 2 noun

for·​mat ˈfȯ(ə)r-ˌmat 

1

: the general organization or arrangement of something

2

: a method of organizing data (as for storage)

a file format

format

2 of 2 verb

formatted; formatting

1

: to produce in a particular format

2

: to prepare for storing computer data

format the disk