formalize

[fawr-muh-lahyz]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR formalize 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.

Also especially British, for·mal·ise.

Origin of formalize

First recorded in 1590–1600; formal¹ + -ize

Related formsfor·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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for formalize

distribute, place, plan, file, conduct, establish, assign, delineate, represent, decide, explain, describe, prescribe, detail, characterize, exemplify, specify, determine, construe, designate

Examples from the Web for formalize

Contemporary Examples of formalize

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
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
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
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
The first step is to formalize something resembling a brand.
NBC, You've Blown It Again!
Jace Lacob
October 26, 2010

Historical Examples of formalize

"Formalize our mating as soon as she is able to get out of bed," Kennon replied.
The Lani People
J. F. Bone
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

British Dictionary definitions for formalize

formalize

formalise

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 Formsformalization 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

Word Origin and History for formalize

1590s, from formal + -ize. Related: Formalized; formalizing.