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

Alfred Russel Wallace independently formulated a theory of evolution by natural selection in 1858, a year before Darwin’s On the Origin of Species was published in 1859. — Michael Muthukrishna, Fortune, 23 July 2026

The scale, speed, and asymmetry of deployment raise questions that asset owners and fund managers have barely begun to formulate, let alone answer. — Martin Whittaker, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

The lightweight skin care pick is formulated with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to plump, smooth, and brighten your complexion. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 22 July 2026

The budget-friendly cleanser is formulated for normal to dry skin types and provides a gentle cleanse that still lifts makeup, residue, and other grime of the day. — Jessie Quinn, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

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
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

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