formulate

verb

for·​mu·​late ˈfȯr-myə-ˌlāt 

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

formulator

ˈfȯr-myə-ˌlā-tər 

noun

Synonyms of formulate

• express
• say
• articulate
• put
• phrase

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

Rodriguez closed the day care and went on to work for the local school district, earning a degree in psychology while working in special education and then at the district’s child-development center, formulating strategies for kids who struggled with discipline or classwork. —Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025

Today, there’s no shortage of supplements formulated with echinacea extract. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025

Or use a commercial dry-cleaning solution formulated for upholstery as instructed on the label. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2025

It’s formulated to cleanse, nourish, and detangle without stripping the essential oils that keep natural hair healthy. —Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing formulate

• pre-formulate

Rhymes for formulate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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

ˌfȯr-myə-ˈlā-shən

noun

formulator

ˈfȯr-myə-ˌlāt-ər 

noun