as in layout
the way in which something is sized, arranged, or organized
geese flying south in a V-formation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formation
Hurricane Melissa is one of the fastest-intensifying hurricanes The storm is among the fastest in the Atlantic to go from Category 1 formation to Category 4 in the past 50 years.
—
Denise Chow, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2025
These chemical anomalies could provide valuable clues about the conditions in distant star systems and the diversity of cometary formation across the galaxy.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
From the Kansas City 20, Rashee Rice motioned across the formation and picked up five yards on the opening play.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Although the exact time is unknown, witnesses reported seeing a formation of lights moving from the northern part of Arizona southward toward Tucson.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formation
Denise Chow, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2025
These chemical anomalies could provide valuable clues about the conditions in distant star systems and the diversity of cometary formation across the galaxy.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
From the Kansas City 20, Rashee Rice motioned across the formation and picked up five yards on the opening play.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Although the exact time is unknown, witnesses reported seeing a formation of lights moving from the northern part of Arizona southward toward Tucson.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formation
Noun
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The company’s responsibilities will include developing site layout plans, reviewing cooling system methods, and preparing budget and process calculations.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
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Exterior deck areas are plentiful, from the upper aft deck for alfresco dining, to the lower-deck beach club which has a gym instead of the sauna and shower on the typical layout.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Over the last 73 years, the pageant has evolved and changed, updating its rules about everything from eligibility to competition format.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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The competition format, and thematic focus of each episode, meant that early shows were often organized around musical categories (ballads, duets, love songs) or occasionally around the catalog of individual artists (Lady Gaga, Britney Spears).—
Alan Light,
Rolling Stone,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formation. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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