formulate
verb
for·mu·late
ˈfȯr-myə-ˌlāt 
formulated; formulating
1
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
Synonyms
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 on the Web
Using a product that is formulated with hydrating ingredients can help boost skin’s radiance and retain moisture.
—
Kelly Mickle, wsj.com, 28 Sep. 2023
To ensure these benefits are accessible to all, youth should be directly involved formulating regulations and safety strategies, Wisniewski adds.
—Lauren Leffer, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2023
The new messenger RNA, or mRNA, vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech are formulated to better target variants that are currently circulating and will replace outdated vaccines.
—Deedee Stiepan, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Sep. 2023
But never ones to phone it in, Union and Wade went to work and called upon experts like dermatologist Dr. Naana Boakye and pediatrician, Dr. Heather McGowan, who helped inform them on the best way to formulate a product line that would be good and safe for melanated babies.
—Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2023
In June, the FDA asked drugmakers to formulate the fall boosters to target the then-dominant XBB.1.5 subvariant.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 11 Sep. 2023
The boosters made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, were formulated to target variants that are currently circulating, which are related to XBB – an offshoot of the omicron variant.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2023
Look for products that are specially formulated for curls and to prevent frizz.
—Sabina Wizemann, Good Housekeeping, 8 Sep. 2023
When the first vaccine against COVID-19 was rolled out in December 2020, it was designed as a monovalent vaccine, meaning that it was formulated against only the original SARS-CoV-2 virus.
—Mitzi Nagarkatti, The Conversation, 13 Sep. 2023
See More
Kelly Mickle, wsj.com, 28 Sep. 2023
To ensure these benefits are accessible to all, youth should be directly involved formulating regulations and safety strategies, Wisniewski adds.
—Lauren Leffer, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2023
The new messenger RNA, or mRNA, vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech are formulated to better target variants that are currently circulating and will replace outdated vaccines.
—Deedee Stiepan, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Sep. 2023
But never ones to phone it in, Union and Wade went to work and called upon experts like dermatologist Dr. Naana Boakye and pediatrician, Dr. Heather McGowan, who helped inform them on the best way to formulate a product line that would be good and safe for melanated babies.
—Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2023
In June, the FDA asked drugmakers to formulate the fall boosters to target the then-dominant XBB.1.5 subvariant.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 11 Sep. 2023
The boosters made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, were formulated to target variants that are currently circulating, which are related to XBB – an offshoot of the omicron variant.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2023
Look for products that are specially formulated for curls and to prevent frizz.
—Sabina Wizemann, Good Housekeeping, 8 Sep. 2023
When the first vaccine against COVID-19 was rolled out in December 2020, it was designed as a monovalent vaccine, meaning that it was formulated against only the original SARS-CoV-2 virus.
—Mitzi Nagarkatti, The Conversation, 13 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'formulate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing formulate
Dictionary Entries Near formulate
Cite this Entry
“Formulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formulate. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
formulate
verb
for·mu·late
ˈfȯr-myə-ˌlāt
formulated; formulating
1
: to express in a formula
2
: to put in systematic form : state definitely and clearly
formulate a plan
formulation
noun
ˌfȯr-myə-ˈlā-shən
More from Merriam-Webster on formulate
Nglish: Translation of formulate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of formulate for Arabic Speakers
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