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

The format would have to fit adults who cannot spend several years outside the labor market. — Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

After physical disk production ends, new games will be available exclusively in digital format from the PlayStation Store, an online shop for PlayStation games, and at retailers. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Verb

Its summer programs are formatted as a four- or five-day series built around different themes like pastry-making or cooking with global flavors. — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2026

If the document complies with technical formatting requirements, such as margin and font size, it must be recorded. — Donovan McCarty, The Conversation, 22 June 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