Definition of formatnext
1
as in layout
the way in which something is sized, arranged, or organized the book's format is very user-friendly

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2
as in design
the way in which the elements of something (as a work of art) are arranged this abstract painter bases the format of his works on color and its subtle gradations and not line or form

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of format Videos using the format typically present a normal or relatable situation, followed by the implication that something will go wrong, mirroring the foreshadowing associated with the film scene. Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026 Each of the participating candidates was interviewed individually using the same format. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026 Using the Raw format gives you leeway to adjust color, exposure, and give photos your own signature visual twist without losing picture quality—JPGs simply throw away too much data in favor of compression and smaller file sizes. Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026 The bathroom is in good condition, though perhaps a little dated with its large-format cream tile. Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 6 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for format
Recent Examples of Synonyms for format
Noun
  • Strict regulations required the new buildings to follow the exact blueprint of the original layout, so bungalows, villas and residences are scattered between lush gardens and the shoreline.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Here, the layout funnels life toward one central gathering space.
    David Caraccio April 4, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The show mostly avoids the politics that swirl around the design business, especially these days when critics are obsessed with the environmental evils of fast fashion and the shortcomings of an industry known to exploit labor around the globe.
    Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
  • The design process took more than five years, a negotiation between the city’s strict hydraulic requirements and the neighborhood’s shifting wishes; the result was something no one had pictured in advance.
    Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The look can be as minimalist as gems sprinkled on the tips of neutral nails or as bold as clusters of various stone sizes in intricate formations.
    Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 8 Apr. 2026
  • By automating what used to be manual hurdles, these platforms are helping streamline the formation process and may reduce some traditional barriers to entry.
    William Jones, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The warmth of the vanilla transforms the peach into something almost caramelized and deeply gourmand, giving the whole composition a richness that takes it to an entirely different level.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 Apr. 2026
  • In addition to Churchill Grounds and Clave, the center will host a music academy and a recording studio named Koolbonga Studios, named in honor of one of Williams’ most famous jazz compositions.
    Mike Jordan, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Bands of darker skin often followed similar patterns from patient to patient—a series of V’s along the upper spine, S’s along the abdomen, and an inverted U across each breast.
    Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • This kind of influence is crucial as businesses are locked in a desperate race to defeat the algorithms that pervert our everyday choices and use our own pattern recognition against us to circumscribe our free will.
    Bruce Stockler, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • An important starting point would be not forgetting the basics — something that has been the concerning theme of this season.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Through the personal stories of activists and intense courtroom battles, host Brendan Patrick Hughes explores themes of faith, rebellion, and the complexities of confronting injustice, ultimately offering a compelling blueprint for modern activism.
    Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026

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“Format.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/format. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.

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