as in layouts
the way in which something is sized, arranged, or organized
geese flying south in a V-formation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of formations
The dancers — now unified in formations that softly bleed into one another like clouds — demand attention.
—
Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Climbs range in difficulty from shorter and less technical routes to extremely challenging; it’s recommended to call the park for more information on specific climbs as well as full climbing regulations (no bolting is allowed on the quartzite formations, for instance).
—Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 4 June 2026
Unusual cloud formations took shape above Houston’s highways on Tuesday.
—Ben Noll, Washington Post, 3 June 2026
The formations of night rise ahead.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
One of the best ways to appreciate the otherworldly natural formations of the American Southwest is a ride aboard Amtrak’s Southwest Chief train.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
Further experiments showed that the same tiny formations can be the result of geologic—completely abiotic—processes.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 1 June 2026
Heavy crude extraction is generally more difficult than conventional oil production because the oil is denser and flows less easily through reservoir formations.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
These part-time civilian formations are designed to provide decentralized local resistance, guerrilla operations and logistical support in the event of foreign attack.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Climbs range in difficulty from shorter and less technical routes to extremely challenging; it’s recommended to call the park for more information on specific climbs as well as full climbing regulations (no bolting is allowed on the quartzite formations, for instance).
—Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 4 June 2026
Unusual cloud formations took shape above Houston’s highways on Tuesday.
—Ben Noll, Washington Post, 3 June 2026
The formations of night rise ahead.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
One of the best ways to appreciate the otherworldly natural formations of the American Southwest is a ride aboard Amtrak’s Southwest Chief train.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
Further experiments showed that the same tiny formations can be the result of geologic—completely abiotic—processes.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 1 June 2026
Heavy crude extraction is generally more difficult than conventional oil production because the oil is denser and flows less easily through reservoir formations.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
These part-time civilian formations are designed to provide decentralized local resistance, guerrilla operations and logistical support in the event of foreign attack.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formations
Noun
-
The new layouts also offer employees outdoor balcony seating and long, sunlit tables for group projects.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
6 June 2026
-
Not all living room layouts are created equal, and many people fall victim to six common mistakes when positioning their furniture in this space.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
There are several other acts adding personal twists to surefire musical formats this week.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
-
Seven states, including Arkansas, Hawaii, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming, do not offer public data access or have incompatible data formats.—
Dian Zhang,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Formations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formations. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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