formalize

[ fawr-muh-lahyz ]

/ ˈfɔr məˌlaɪz /

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See synonyms for: formalize / formalization on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), for·mal·ized, for·mal·iz·ing.

to make formal, especially for the sake of official or authorized acceptance: to formalize an understanding by drawing up a legal contract.

to give a definite form or shape to.

to state or restate (the rules or implied rules of a grammar or the like) in symbolic form.

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Also especially British, for·mal·ise .

Origin of formalize

First recorded in 1590–1600; formal¹ + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM formalize

for·mal·i·za·tion, nounfor·mal·iz·er, nouno·ver·for·mal·ize, verb, o·ver·for·mal·ized, o·ver·for·mal·iz·ing.un·for·mal·ized, adjective

Words nearby formalize

formaldehyde, formal equivalence, formalin, formalism, formality, formalize, formal language, formal logic, formally, formal mode, formal system

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use formalize in a sentence

In addition to formalizing that the vice president would assume the duties of the presidency in the event of a president’s death, removal from office or resignation, it instituted a process by which a living president could be removed from office.
How removal under the 25th Amendment works: A beginner’s guide|Philip Bump|October 9, 2020|Washington Post
Fifteen years ago, the IGBC asked if he’d help them formalize the program by using the bears that got there in the first place by getting into garbage.
These Bears Have a Job, and It's Destroying Coolers|Emma Walker|October 9, 2020|Outside Online
The 25th Amendment formalizes that the vice president takes over the duties of the presidency in the event of a president’s death, inability to perform his duties or resignation from office.
Citing 25th Amendment, Pelosi, Raskin move to create panel that could rule on president’s fitness for office|Felicia Sonmez|October 8, 2020|Washington Post
States have adopted and formalized voter registration systems at different times, and some just allowed people to register on Election Day when they came in to vote.
How to fix America’s voter registration system so more people can vote|Jen Kirby|October 6, 2020|Vox

Coq users have formalized a lot of mathematics in its language, but that work has been decentralized and unorganized.
Building the Mathematical Library of the Future|Kevin Hartnett|October 1, 2020|Quanta Magazine
Maps have long served to formalize authority over peoples and their lands and resources.
Should Google Be Mapping Tribal Lands?|Grace-Yvette Gemmell|June 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She sought to finalize and formalize the split by filing for divorce in Brooklyn.
Threats Preceded High-Rise Suicide, New York Mom Says|Michael Daly|December 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The battle will now focus on the drafting of Egypt's new constitution, which will formalize the emerging allocation of power.
Good News, Bad News|Hussein Ibish|June 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Of course any effort to impose such a system would simply be to formalize what already exists, and has since 1967.
Beware "Creative Alternatives"|Hussein Ibish|May 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The first step is to formalize something resembling a brand.
NBC, You've Blown It Again!|Jace Lacob|October 26, 2010|DAILY BEAST
But this priest was standing in the corridor and was rather insistent that he formalize some prayers at that point.
Warren Commission (7 of 26): Hearings Vol. VII (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
Yet strangely and unexpectedly the attempt to formalize his faith almost shook his faith out of him again.
The Devil's Garden|W. B. Maxwell
"Formalize our mating as soon as she is able to get out of bed," Kennon replied.
The Lani People|J. F. Bone

British Dictionary definitions for formalize

formalize

formalise

/ (ˈfɔːməˌlaɪz) /

verb

to be or make formal

(tr) to make official or valid

(tr) to give a definite shape or form to

logic to extract the logical form of (an expression), to express in the symbols of some formal system

Derived forms of formalize

formalization or formalisation, nounformalizer or formaliser, 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

formalize

Origin of formalize

OTHER WORDS FROM formalize

Words nearby formalize

Words related to formalize

How to use formalize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for formalize

formalise

Derived forms of formalize