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
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
This is, essentially, where snow is born — a layer of air, about 5,000 feet up, cold enough to support the formation of snowflakes.
—
Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
Kramer, the current chair of the council's budget committee, has represented the area since the formation of the Metro Council in 2003.
—Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
But perhaps nothing crystallizes the feud more than an announcement that Kalshi made late last year about the formation of a trade group, called the Coalition for Prediction Markets, to promote the development of the industry.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
The National Weather Service in Norman says storms overnight Thursday caused strong winds in some areas that led to tornado formation.
—Brandi D. Addison, Oklahoman, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formation
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Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
Kramer, the current chair of the council's budget committee, has represented the area since the formation of the Metro Council in 2003.
—Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
But perhaps nothing crystallizes the feud more than an announcement that Kalshi made late last year about the formation of a trade group, called the Coalition for Prediction Markets, to promote the development of the industry.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
The National Weather Service in Norman says storms overnight Thursday caused strong winds in some areas that led to tornado formation.
—Brandi D. Addison, Oklahoman, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formation
Cite this Entry
“Formation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formation. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
formation
noun
for·ma·tion
fȯr-ˈmā-shən
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
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