formula

1 of 2

noun

for·​mu·​la ˈfȯr-myə-lə 

plural formulas or formulae 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

a formula for settling the border dispute

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 plan or method for doing, making, or achieving something

The investment strategy proved to be a winning formula.

There is no magic formula [=no simple and certain method] for success in this business.

b

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

All her books were written according to a familiar formula.

4

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

formula

2 of 2

adjective

: 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

Examples of formula in a Sentence

Noun

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 on the Web

Noun

The third pushes protein per calorie to an extreme with a formula that food scientists say is anything but clean. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 6, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026

For camera-ready skin in unforgiving temps, look for a tinted formula that will do double duty. — Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Adjective

Then came a formula shortage that had parents scrambling to feed their kids, just as a bill that would have extended breastfeeding protections at work . — Kelsey Butler, Fortune, 22 Dec. 2022

There are these stereotypical tropes about the women who choose to have home births…the woo-woo, crystal-slanging, anti-formula, granola mom cult. — Time, 23 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Latin, diminutive of forma form

First Known Use

Noun

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1951, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing formula

• empirical formula
• formula weight
• molecular formula
• quadratic formula
• Stirling's formula
• structural formula

Kids Definition

formula

noun

for·​mu·​la

ˈfȯr-myə-lə

plural formulas or formulae

-ˌlē, 

-ˌlī

1

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

2

a

: recipe sense 3, prescription

my formula for happiness

b

: a milk mixture or substitute for feeding a baby

3

a

: a general fact or rule expressed in symbols and especially mathematical symbols

b

: an expression in symbols of the composition of a substance

the formula for water is H₂O

4

: a required or set form or method

formulaic

ˌfȯr-myə-ˈlā-ik

adjective

formulaically

-ˈlā-ə-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Medical Definition

formula

noun

for·​mu·​la ˈfȯr-myə-lə 

plural formulas or formulae -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

the formula for ethyl alcohol is C₂H₅OH

see empirical formula, molecular formula, structural formula