plural forms
1
2
: the essential nature of a thing as distinguished from its matter: such as
a
b
: the component of a thing that determines its kind
3
4
: a printed or typed document with blank spaces for insertion of required or requested information
tax forms
5
a(1)
: conduct regulated by extraneous (see extraneous sense 1) controls (as of custom or etiquette) : ceremony
(2)
: show without substance
b
: manner or conduct as tested by a prescribed or accepted standard
rudeness is simply bad form
c
: manner or style of performing or accomplishing according to recognized standards of technique
a strong swimmer but weak on form
6
a
: the resting place or nest of a hare
b
: a long seat : bench
7
a
: a supporting frame model of the human figure or part (such as the torso) of the human figure usually used for displaying apparel
b
: a proportioned and often adjustable model for fitting clothes
c
: a mold in which concrete is placed to set
8
: the printing type or other matter arranged and secured in a chase ready for printing
9
a
: one of the different modes of existence, action, or manifestation of a particular thing or substance : kind
one form of respiratory disorder
a form of art
b
: a distinguishable group of organisms
c
d
: one of the different aspects a word may take as a result of inflection or change of spelling or pronunciation
verbal forms
e
: a mathematical expression of a particular type
a bilinear form
a polynomial form
10
a(1)
: orderly method of arrangement (as in the presentation of ideas) : manner of coordinating elements (as of an artistic production or course of reasoning)
(2)
: a particular kind or instance of such arrangement
the sonnet is a poetical form
c
: the structural element, plan, or design of a work of art compare content sense 2c
d
: a visible and measurable unit defined by a contour : a bounded surface or volume
11
: a grade in a British school or in some American private schools
12
a(1)
: the past performance of a race horse
(2)
b
: known ability to perform
a singer at the top of her form
c
: condition suitable for performing (as in athletic competition)
back on form
see also take form
formed; forming; forms
1
a
: to give a particular shape to : shape or mold into a certain state or after a particular model
form the dough into a ball
a state formed along republican lines
b
: to arrange themselves in
the dancers formed a line
c
: to model by instruction and discipline
a mind formed by classical education
3
: to serve to make up or constitute : be an essential or basic element of
Bonds formed the bulk of his estate.
5
: to arrange in order : draw up
The battalion was formed into squares for all-around defense.
6
a
: to assume an inflection so as to produce (a form, such as a tense)
forms the past in -ed
b
: to combine to make (a compound word)
"motor" and "cycle" form "motorcycle"
1
: to become formed or shaped
A clot was forming over the cut.
2
: to take form : come into existence : arise
Storm clouds were forming over the hills.
3
: to take on a definite form, shape, or arrangement
the platoon formed in columns
: in the form or shape of : resembling
filiform
Synonyms
Examples of form in a Sentence
Noun
Coal is a form of carbon.
a rare form of cancer
a popular form of entertainment
an ancient form of music
the written form of the language
a style of architecture that emphasizes form over function
The shadowy forms of several people were visible through the smoke.
Verb
The friendship that they formed in school lasted a lifetime.
Her early experiences played an important role in forming her personality.
His ideas were not yet fully formed.
The drug can help prevent blood clots from forming.
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
A plan was gradually forming in my mind.
A plan was gradually forming itself in my mind.
An angry crowd was forming in the streets.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 15 Nov. 2023
But academic research indicates gifts which come in the form of experiences—like trips, picnics, or special outings—often make people happier than material items.
—Mallika Mitra, wsj.com, 14 Nov. 2023
Most of the pages remained in paper form in the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C., Teleti explains.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Nov. 2023
Its shares are listed in ADR form on the New York Stock Exchange and also in Hong Kong.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 14 Nov. 2023
Some of it would be in the form of baryons, meaning protons and neutrons—the stuff of you, me and our laptops, as well as of planets, galaxies and everything else accessible to telescopes.
—Richard Panek, Scientific American, 14 Nov. 2023
Both countries are experiencing the harsh effects of climate change in the form of flooding and heat waves that would not be possible without climate change.
—Lucas Thompson, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2023
Of that $10 million, the company also wrote that only $2.5 million would be in the form of cash.
—Sam Dean, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023
The central bank's rate hikes have increased the costs of mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and many forms of business borrowing, part of a concerted drive to slow growth and cool inflation pressures.
—CBS News, 14 Nov. 2023
Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 16 Nov. 2023
Yet the deep bonds formed over years were still there.
—Miriam Jordan Afif Amireh, New York Times, 15 Nov. 2023
Mesozoic bird tracks are often small, less than six inches long, and thin, with three weight-bearing toes that form wide angles that exceed ninety degrees.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Nov. 2023
To leap through a window, the rapper would have had to remove the glass forming the blinds, a process that would have taken considerable time and likely been noticed by Améstica.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 14 Nov. 2023
Just hours before the actors’ strike ended last week, comedian and strike captain Elyssa Phillips spoke to The Times’ Christi Carras for my colleagues’ story examining the state of the industry six months after picket lines first formed in front of the major studios.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023
The 88-year-old National Labor Relations Act guarantees the right of U.S. workers to form or join unions.
—Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2023
The Event Safety Association, formed after a tragic outdoor event at the Indiana State Fair, is an excellent resource for event risk reduction and management, including weather impacts.
—Jim Foerster, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
However, Strickland recalled feeling apprehensive about forming a long-term relationship with her, which created tension.
—Meghan Mariani, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2023
See More
Noun
The holidays are upon us, and with them come feasts in many forms.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 15 Nov. 2023
But academic research indicates gifts which come in the form of experiences—like trips, picnics, or special outings—often make people happier than material items.
—Mallika Mitra, wsj.com, 14 Nov. 2023
Most of the pages remained in paper form in the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C., Teleti explains.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Nov. 2023
Its shares are listed in ADR form on the New York Stock Exchange and also in Hong Kong.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 14 Nov. 2023
Some of it would be in the form of baryons, meaning protons and neutrons—the stuff of you, me and our laptops, as well as of planets, galaxies and everything else accessible to telescopes.
—Richard Panek, Scientific American, 14 Nov. 2023
Both countries are experiencing the harsh effects of climate change in the form of flooding and heat waves that would not be possible without climate change.
—Lucas Thompson, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2023
Of that $10 million, the company also wrote that only $2.5 million would be in the form of cash.
—Sam Dean, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023
The central bank's rate hikes have increased the costs of mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and many forms of business borrowing, part of a concerted drive to slow growth and cool inflation pressures.
—CBS News, 14 Nov. 2023
Verb
The stories that form the backbone of the novel are Juan’s sketches of Jan Gay.
—Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 16 Nov. 2023
Yet the deep bonds formed over years were still there.
—Miriam Jordan Afif Amireh, New York Times, 15 Nov. 2023
Mesozoic bird tracks are often small, less than six inches long, and thin, with three weight-bearing toes that form wide angles that exceed ninety degrees.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Nov. 2023
To leap through a window, the rapper would have had to remove the glass forming the blinds, a process that would have taken considerable time and likely been noticed by Améstica.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 14 Nov. 2023
Just hours before the actors’ strike ended last week, comedian and strike captain Elyssa Phillips spoke to The Times’ Christi Carras for my colleagues’ story examining the state of the industry six months after picket lines first formed in front of the major studios.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023
The 88-year-old National Labor Relations Act guarantees the right of U.S. workers to form or join unions.
—Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2023
The Event Safety Association, formed after a tragic outdoor event at the Indiana State Fair, is an excellent resource for event risk reduction and management, including weather impacts.
—Jim Foerster, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
However, Strickland recalled feeling apprehensive about forming a long-term relationship with her, which created tension.
—Meghan Mariani, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'form.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English forme, from Anglo-French furme, forme, from Latin forma form, beauty
Combining form
formic
Adjective combining form
French & Latin; French -forme, from Latin -formis, from forma
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of form was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing form
Dictionary Entries Near form
Cite this Entry
“Form.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/form. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
form
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material
b
: a body (as of a person) especially in its outward appearance or as distinguished from the face
2
a
: an established manner of doing or saying something
a form of worship
b
: a standard or expectation based on past experience
true to form, the champions won again
3
: a document with blank spaces for inserting information
a tax form
4
a
: conduct determined by custom : ceremony, convention
also
: display without meaning
the usual forms upon being introduced
b
: manner of behaving according to recognized standards
it's bad form not to wait for your turn
5
: a long seat : bench
6
a
: a model of the human figure used for displaying clothes
b
: a mold in which concrete is placed to set
7
: one of the different varieties of a particular thing or substance
coal is a form of carbon
8
: any of the different pronunciations or spellings a word may take in inflection or compounding
9
: a special way of stating a mathematical expression
the number 2.5 can be written in fractional form as ⁵⁄₂
10
a
: orderly method of arrangement
also
: a kind or instance of such arrangement
painting is an art form
b
: the structural element, plan, or design of a work of art
11
: a surface or space enclosed by mathematical boundaries
12
: a grade in a British secondary school or in some American private schools
13
a
: ability as shown by past performance
b
: condition for performing
in top form
form
2 of 2 verb2
: instruct sense 1, train
education forms the mind
3
: make up sense 2, constitute
a hat formed of straw
4
: develop sense 5, acquire
form a habit
5
: to arrange in order
form a line
6
: to take form : arise
fog forms in the valleys
7
: to take a definite form, shape, or arrangement
the customers formed in lines
former
noun
Medical Definition
form
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material
b
: a body (as of a person) especially in its external appearance or as distinguished from the face
2
: a distinguishable group of organisms
—used especially to avoid taxonomic implications
form
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to give a particular shape to : shape or mold into a certain state or after a particular model
: to become formed or shaped
a clot formed over the cut
Legal Definition
form
noun1
: the structure of something (as a document) as distinguished from its matter
a defect in form, not substance
2
: established procedure according to rule or practice see also form of action
3
: a printed or typed document with blank spaces for insertion of required or requested information
tax forms
More from Merriam-Webster on form
Nglish: Translation of form for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of form for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about form
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