formula

noun for·mu·la \ ˈfȯr-myə-lə \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of formula

plural formulas or formulae play \ˈfȯr-myə-ˌlē, -ˌlī\

1 a : a set form of words for use in a ceremony or ritual

b : a conventionalized statement intended to express some fundamental truth or principle especially as a basis for negotiation or action

2 a (1) : recipe

The product is made using a secret formula that the company refuses to reveal.

(2) : prescription

b : a milk mixture or substitute for feeding an infant

3 a : a general fact, rule, or principle expressed in usually mathematical symbols

b : a symbolic expression of the chemical composition or constitution of a substance

c : a group of symbols (such as letters and numbers) associated to express facts or data (such as the number and kinds of teeth in the jaw) concisely

d : a combination of signs in a logical calculus

4 : a customary or set form or method allowing little room for originality

All her books were written according to a familiar formula.

—

formulaic

play \ˌfȯr-myə-ˈlā-ik\ adjective

—

formulaically

play \ˌfȯr-myə-ˈlā-ə-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See formula defined for English-language learners

See formula defined for kids

Examples of formula in a Sentence

His investment strategy is based on a simple formula.
This has proven to be a winning formula.
The product is made using a secret formula that the company refuses to reveal.
The formula for water is H₂O.
infants drinking formula instead of their mother's milk

Recent Examples of formula from the Web

Like all of Tenoverten’s polishes, the eight most-toxic ingredients (including formaldehyde) in most common nail polishes aren’t in the formula, making the trio a safer alternative to other brands.

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "Tenoverten Launches a Polish Trio With Wellness Guru Taryn Toomey," 17 Apr. 2018
Much of it is the product of the system's original retirement formula, called money match.

— ted sickinger, OregonLive.com, "National spotlight cast on PERS, Oregon's perennial public pension problem," 16 Apr. 2018
To buy: $26 after code (originally $37); dermstore.com This beloved Aussie brand is ideal for those with sensitive skin (derms rave about the baby formula, too), and now is the perfect time to stock up before summer hits.

— kathleen mulpeter, Health.com, "Dermstore Is Having a HUGE Secret Sale Right Now," 13 Apr. 2018
The show employs the standard rehab formula: budget-buster surprises, tight time frames, demolition delight and lots of perennial potential.

— r. daniel foster, latimes.com, "Reality Realty: Woodsy retreats featured on HGTV’s ‘Rustic Rehab’," 13 Apr. 2018
Tried dairy free formula, Dermol, Nizarol, Aveeno, Oilatum... nothing made a difference.

— marci robin, Allure, "This Lush Cream Is Selling Out After One Mom Claims It Treated Her Baby’s Eczema," 13 Apr. 2018
The series encompasses 10 episodes and follows much the same formula -- including the tumultuous 20th-century period covered -- as its predecessor, which featured Geoffrey Rush as Albert Einstein.

— brian lowry, CNN, "'Elvis,' 'Andre the Giant' debut amid wave of king-sized biographies," 10 Apr. 2018
This new era of cheap and easy financing radically changed the formula, and the face of the average homeowner.

— patrick sisson, Curbed, "Why buying a house today is so much harder than in 1950," 10 Apr. 2018
Beauty bloggers and makeup fans have continually commended the line for its extensive array of foundation formulas, lipstick shades, and highlighters.

— lauren rearick, Teen Vogue, "Rihanna Announced That Fenty Beauty Is Coming to Saudi Arabia," 8 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'formula.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of formula

Latin, diminutive of forma form

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1618

See Words from the same year

formula

adjective

Definition of formula

: of, relating to, or being an open-wheel open-cockpit rear-engine racing car conforming to prescribed specifications as to size, weight, and engine displacement

Origin and Etymology of formula

see ¹formula

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1951

See Words from the same year

Other Automotive Terms

articulated, block, choke, clutch, diesel, neutral, transmission

FORMULA Defined for English Language Learners

formula

noun

Definition of formula for English Language Learners

: a plan or method for doing, making, or achieving something
: a list of the ingredients used for making something (such as a medicine or a drink)
mathematics : a general fact or rule expressed in letters and symbols

FORMULA Defined for Kids

formula

noun for·mu·la \ ˈfȯr-myə-lə \

Definition of formula for Students

1 : a direction giving amounts of the substances for the preparation of something (as a medicine)

2 : an established form or method

a formula for success

3 : a milk mixture or substitute for feeding a baby

4 : a general fact or rule expressed in symbols

We learned a formula for finding the size of an angle.

5 : an expression in symbols giving the makeup of a substance

The chemical formula for water is H₂O.

Medical Dictionary

formula

noun for·mu·la \ ˈfȯr-myə-lə \

medical Definition of formula

plural formulas or formulae play \-ˌlē, -ˌlī\

1 a : a recipe or prescription giving method and proportions of ingredients for the preparation of some material (as a medicine)

b : a milk mixture or substitute (as one containing soybean protein) for feeding an infant

2 : a symbolic expression showing the composition or constitution of a chemical substance and consisting of symbols for the elements present and subscripts to indicate the relative or total number of atoms present in a molecule