format

[ fawr-mat ]
/ ˈfɔr mæt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR format ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

verb (used with object), for·mat·ted, for·mat·ting.

to plan or provide a format for: to format the annual telethon.
Computers.
  1. to set the format of (input or output): Some word-processing programs format output in a variety of ways.
  2. to prepare (a disk) for writing and reading.

verb (used without object), for·mat·ted, for·mat·ting.

to devise a format.

QUIZZES

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Here is our second set of teacher-selected PSAT vocabulary words. Do you know the meanings of these terms?
Question 1 of 10
advocate
to give up possession or occupancy of.
to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly.
to pronounce or decree by judicial sentence.
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Origin of format

1830–40; < French < Latin (liber) fōrmātus (a book) formed (in a certain way)

OTHER WORDS FROM format

for·mat·ter, nounpre·for·mat, verb (used with object), pre·for·mat·ted, pre·for·mat·ting.re·for·mat, verb, re·for·mat·ted, re·for·mat·ting.

Words nearby format

formally, formalwear, formamidase, forman, formant, format, formate, formatio, formation, formation dance, formation rules
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to format

scheme, form, pattern, setup, arrangement, shape, configuration, composition, size, look, figure, makeup, formation, formula, dimensions

Example sentences from the Web for format

British Dictionary definitions for format

format
/ (ˈfɔːmæt) /

noun

the general appearance of a publication, including type style, paper, binding, etc
an approximate indication of the size of a publication as determined by the number of times the original sheet of paper is folded to make a leafSee also duodecimo, quarto
style, plan, or arrangement, as of a television programme
computing
  1. the defined arrangement of data encoded in a file or for example on magnetic disk or CD-ROM, essential for the correct recording and recovery of data on different devices
  2. the arrangement of text on printed output or a display screen, or a coded description of such an arrangement

verb -mats, -matting or -matted (tr)

to arrange (a book, page, etc) into a specified format

Word Origin for format

C19: via French from German, from Latin liber formātus volume formed
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

Scientific definitions for format

format
[ fôr′măt′ ]

Noun

The arrangement of data for storage or display.

Verb

To divide a disk into marked sectors so that it may store data.
To determine the arrangement of data for storage or display.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.