formulate

play

verb for·mu·late \ ˈfȯr-myə-ˌlāt \

Definition of formulate

formulated; formulating

transitive verb

1 a :to reduce to or express in a formula

formulate the area of a rectangle

b :to put into a systematized statement or expression

formulate long-term goals

c :devise

formulate a policy

formulate a plan

2 a :to develop a formula for the preparation of (something, such as a soap or plastic)

a plastic specially formulated to resist high temperatures

b :to prepare according to a formula

formulate the vaccine against malaria

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formulator

play \ˈfȯr-myə-ˌlā-tər\ noun

See formulate defined for English-language learners

See formulate defined for kids

Examples of formulate in a Sentence

a plastic specially formulated to resist high temperatures
the doctor was trying to formulate a good way to tell her that she would need surgery

Recent Examples of formulate from the Web

As a result, trustees are expected to send the matter back to the environmental committee to formulate a plan that would be fair to all parties.

— jane ford-stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Lake access likely to remain restricted for now, as Hales Corners seeks fair solution," 30 Aug. 2017
But another crushing blow comes when lawmakers who formulate policy from the Statehouse later lobby politicians on behalf of interests with the most to lose, or gain, from those very policies.

— austin berg, Daily Southtown, "Column: Former Illinois lawmakers powered by energy interests," 17 Aug. 2017
The agencies are also calling on institutions to formulate more stringent rules for identifying and handling fraud.

— dennis normile, Science | AAAS, "China cracks down after investigation finds massive peer-review fraud," 31 July 2017
Originally formulated by economists, the model imagines a voting public composed of ideologically diverse — but uniformly rational — citizens seeking to advance their coherent political philosophies.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Democrats Can Abandon the Center — Because the Center Doesn’t Exist," 30 July 2017
Use what ever face wash tickles your fancy, but make sure to follow with a decent exfoliant like Paula's Choice 2% BHA Perfecting Liquid, formulated with salicylic acid.

— brennan kilbane, GQ, "How to Get Rid of Pimples Overnight," 15 July 2017
This sunscreen is formulated with coconut oil and botanicals, which combine in a truly natural SPF blocker.

— liza myers, Bon Appetit, "7 Products For a Cool, Calm, and Delicious Summer," 7 July 2017
Ismay formulated that aphorism at the height of a new Cold War.

— victor davis hanson, National Review, "Lord Ismay, NATO, and the Old-New World Order," 5 July 2017
In the moments before the at-bat, Moustakas had formulated a plan with hitting coach Dale Sveum, looking for a certain pitch out over the plate.

— rustin dodd, kansascity, "Danny Duffy returns, Mike Moustakas homers again in 7-3 win over Mariners," 4 July 2017

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

First Known Use of formulate

1855

formulate Synonyms

Synonyms

articulate, clothe, couch, express, phrase, put, say, state, word

Related Words

craft, frame; hint, imply, insinuate, intimate, suggest; paraphrase, rephrase, restate, reword, summarize, translate; communicate, disclose, speak, talk, tell, utter, verbalize, vocalize; describe, render, write up

FORMULATE Defined for English Language Learners

formulate

play

verb

Definition of formulate for English Language Learners

: to create, invent, or produce (something) by careful thought and effort

FORMULATE Defined for Kids

formulate

play

verb for·mu·late \ ˈfȯr-myə-ˌlāt \

Definition of formulate for Students

formulated; formulating

:to create, invent, or produce by careful thought and effort

formulate a medicine

formulate an answer

Learn More about formulate

See words that rhyme with formulate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for formulate Spanish Central: Translation of formulate Nglish: Translation of formulate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of formulate for Arabic speakers

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