formation

noun

for·​ma·​tion fȯr-ˈmā-shən 

1

: an act of giving form or shape to something or of taking form : development

the formation of the planets

2

: something that is formed

new word formations

a rock formation

3

: the manner in which a thing is formed : structure

the peculiar formation of the heart

4

: a major kind of plant growth (such as forest, grassland, or tundra) characteristic of a broad ecological region

5

a

: any igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock represented as a unit

b

: any sedimentary bed or consecutive series of beds sufficiently homogeneous or distinctive to be a unit

6

: an arrangement of a body or group of persons or things in some prescribed manner or for a particular purpose

flying in formation

Synonyms of formation

• layout
• format

Examples of formation in a Sentence

The book explains the formation of the planets.

The soldiers were marching in formation.

The team ran on the field and lined up in a punt formation.

Recent Examples on the Web

After running the tush-push to convert earlier in the action, Traylor’s offense threw in a wrinkle, imitating the Philadelphia Eagles and running a sweep out of the tush-push formation, with Will Henderson III going 59 yards untouched to put the game to bed. —Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 15 Nov. 2025

The question was posed to voters after debates and disapproval of government operations in 2023 led to the formation of a group known as PV United. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 Nov. 2025

Plumes of tear gas filled the street as hooded protesters dragged riot police out of formation, beat them with hammers and chains and threw explosive devices at them, as they were stripped of their shields and communication radios. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025

This led to the formation four years ago of Producers Connection Presentations, which aimed to connect the producers of artistic documentaries with co-producing partners. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing formation

• back-formation
• break formation
• I formation
• punt formation
• reticular formation
• self-formation
• spread formation
• T formation

Rhymes for formation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

formation

noun

for·​ma·​tion fȯr-ˈmā-shən 

1

: a forming of something

2

: something formed

3

: the manner in which a thing is formed : structure, shape

4

: a bed of rocks or series of beds recognizable as a unit

5

: an arrangement or grouping of persons, ships, or airplanes

Medical Definition

formation

noun

for·​ma·​tion fȯr-ˈmā-shən 

1

: an act of giving form or shape to something or of taking form : development

2

: the manner in which a thing is formed : structure