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

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

Under the new kickoff format designed to lessen the chance of big hits, there were 332 more kickoff returns in 2024 than in 2023, when the league recorded the lowest return rate in its history, but 64% of kickoffs still ended in touchbacks and thus were not returned. —Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Not all fragrances are made alike—in quality and price, but also in format. —Dan Michel, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2025

Verb

What if a client mistakenly formats a hard disk, installs a new Windows operating system, and then realizes the original Outlook Personal Storage Table (PST) file is missing? —Chongwei Chen, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Most of his videos are all similarly formatted, but while some have reached over 2.5 million views, others sit below the 10,000 view mark. —Molly Gibbs, Sacbee.com, 2 Aug. 2025

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