formulate

[fawr-myuh-leyt]

verb (used with object), for·mu·lat·ed, for·mu·lat·ing.

to express in precise form; state definitely or systematically: He finds it extremely difficult to formulate his new theory.
to devise or develop, as a method, system, etc.
to reduce to or express in a formula.

Origin of formulate

First recorded in 1855–60; formul(a) + -ate¹

Related formsfor·mu·la·ble

[fawr-myuh-luh-buh l] /ˈfɔr myə lə bəl/, adjectivefor·mu·la·tion, nounfor·mu·la·tor, nounnon·for·mu·la·tion, nounpre·for·mu·late, verb (used with object), pre·for·mu·lat·ed, pre·for·mu·lat·ing.pre·for·mu·la·tion, nounun·for·mu·lat·ed, adjectivewell-for·mu·lat·ed, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com

1. articulate, frame, compose, define, specify.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for formulation

Contemporary Examples

But their formulation includes some solicitations with educational material on it as money spent on programs.
Wounded Warrior Project Under Fire
Tim Mak
September 26, 2014
How many times have you heard some formulation of this viewpoint?
Communism's Victims Deserve a Museum
James Kirchick
August 25, 2014
The only problem with Obama's formulation is its implicit assumption that Iraqi leaders can simply choose to make up.
How Iran and America Can Beat ISIS Together
Ben Van Heuvelen
June 21, 2014
In this formulation, Dr. Romney is about to operate on the American economy, and who cares if Barack Obama is a much cooler guy?
Huckabee on Romney: If You Have Cancer, Who Cares if Your Surgeon Is a Jerk?
Howard Kurtz
August 28, 2012
If we are realistic, this formulation probably will not happen in the next few years.
A Three State Solution
Danny Danon
May 3, 2012

Historical Examples

The final topic in the course is the formulation of a definition of economics.
College Teaching
Paul Klapper
"Well, I don't care," said Louise, by no means displeased with the formulation.
The Story of a Play
W. D. Howells
The formulation of the democratic creed which should justify it was still to come.
A History of the United States
Cecil Chesterton
The various steps in the formulation of such a measure reviewed.
The Settlement of Wage Disputes
Herbert Feis
"I don't think it's quite so modern as that formulation," the other friend questioned.
Imaginary Interviews
W. D. Howells

British Dictionary definitions for formulation

formulation

noun (tr)

the act or process of formulating
any mixture or substance prepared according to a particular formula
a medicinal preparation administered in a specific form, such as a tablet, linctus, ointment, or injection

formulate

verb (tr)

to put into or express in systematic terms; express in or as if in a formula
to devise

Derived Formsformulator, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for formulation

n.

1876, from formulate + -ion.

formulate

v.

1860, "to express in a formula," from formula + -ate. Related: Formulated; formulating.

formulate

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}formulate

Synonyms

Examples from the Web for formulation

Contemporary Examples

But their formulation includes some solicitations with educational material on it as money spent on programs.

How many times have you heard some formulation of this viewpoint?

The only problem with Obama's formulation is its implicit assumption that Iraqi leaders can simply choose to make up.

In this formulation, Dr. Romney is about to operate on the American economy, and who cares if Barack Obama is a much cooler guy?

If we are realistic, this formulation probably will not happen in the next few years.

Historical Examples

The final topic in the course is the formulation of a definition of economics.

"Well, I don't care," said Louise, by no means displeased with the formulation.

The formulation of the democratic creed which should justify it was still to come.

The various steps in the formulation of such a measure reviewed.

"I don't think it's quite so modern as that formulation," the other friend questioned.

formulation

formulate

Word Origin and History for formulation

n.

formulate

v.

Origin of formulate