as in layouts
the way in which something is sized, arranged, or organized
geese flying south in a V-formation
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Recent Examples of formations
That upends a previous hypothesis that the best clues to past life on Mars could be contained in older rock formations.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The wood-and-glass abode cuts a striking figure among Colorado’s Flatirons, with the structure actually carved into the slope and mimicking the chunky shapes of the rock formations.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2025
Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, pointed to the surge in new business formations in a post on X on Tuesday to explain the record change to the jobs numbers.
—Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
But the Broncos’ substitution patterns also looked muddy at times Sunday, with second-year quarterback Bo Nix needing to motion receivers to their correct formations.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
Sedona’s superstars are its vivid sandstone, limestone, shale and basalt formations, sculpted by millions of years of geologic tumult.
—New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
This image depicts intricate frost formations on the frozen surface of Lake Harriet during an Arctic Blast in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 20, 2025.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
The study, published Wednesday in the journal Nature, found that global carbon storage capacity was 10 times less than previous estimates after ruling out geological formations where the gas could leak, trigger earthquakes or contaminate groundwater, or had other limitations.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
The epic made breathtaking use of the country’s terrain, including the red cliffs of Wadi Rum and the rock formations of Jebel Tubeiq.
—Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The wood-and-glass abode cuts a striking figure among Colorado’s Flatirons, with the structure actually carved into the slope and mimicking the chunky shapes of the rock formations.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2025
Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, pointed to the surge in new business formations in a post on X on Tuesday to explain the record change to the jobs numbers.
—Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
But the Broncos’ substitution patterns also looked muddy at times Sunday, with second-year quarterback Bo Nix needing to motion receivers to their correct formations.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
Sedona’s superstars are its vivid sandstone, limestone, shale and basalt formations, sculpted by millions of years of geologic tumult.
—New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
This image depicts intricate frost formations on the frozen surface of Lake Harriet during an Arctic Blast in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 20, 2025.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
The study, published Wednesday in the journal Nature, found that global carbon storage capacity was 10 times less than previous estimates after ruling out geological formations where the gas could leak, trigger earthquakes or contaminate groundwater, or had other limitations.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
The epic made breathtaking use of the country’s terrain, including the red cliffs of Wadi Rum and the rock formations of Jebel Tubeiq.
—Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for formations
Noun
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The building that houses it was constructed in the 1940s; quirky designs abound inside, as do low ceilings and claustrophobic layouts.—
Annabelle Dufraigne,
Architectural Digest,
9 Sep. 2025
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Coed fashion stories, substantial coverage of the contemporary art scene, surprising interview pairings and minimalist layouts are among the key features of Numéro New York, the American edition of the French magazine.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In a wide-ranging conversation at the Toronto International Film Festival that spanned Christopher Nolan, premium theatrical formats, TikTok and the Fast & Furious franchise, Universal’s Donna Langley talked about the state of her studio and the film industry.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
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With formats like RealD 3D, 4DX and IMAX 3D dominating premium exhibition, seven of the top ten new releases from May to July made a combined $222 million on 3D screens, or 13% of all tickets sold.—
Gregg Goldstein,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Formations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/formations. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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