format

[fawr-mat]

See more synonyms for format on Thesaurus.com

noun

the shape and size of a book as determined by the number of times the original sheet has been folded to form the leaves.Compare duodecimo, folio(def 2), octavo, quarto.
the general physical appearance of a book, magazine, or newspaper, such as the typeface, binding, quality of paper, margins, etc.
the organization, plan, style, or type of something: The format of the show allowed for topical and controversial gags.

Computers. the arrangement of data for computer input or output, such as the number and size of fields in a record or the spacing and punctuation of information in a report.

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.

Origin of format

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

Related formsfor·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.

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

Examples from the Web for format

Contemporary Examples

The format of quotations and snippets of songs and poems, made it easy to read, when reading anything longer was a challenge.
Book Bag: Reading Your Way Out Of Grief
Anna Whiston-Donaldson
October 16, 2014
The letter is addressed to “FATHER ROBERT BERGDAHL-U.S.A.” following the format of ICRC messages.
Exclusive: Bergdahl Explains in Prison Letters Why He Vanished
Kimberly Dozier
June 12, 2014
The purpose of the evening is clear enough in its format: The majority of the show is about song-and-dance numbers from musicals.
Hugh Jackman's Tony Jumping Fail, Plus the Winners and Standout Moments of Broadway's Biggest Night
Tim Teeman
June 9, 2014
From the get-go, her admiration for the format she was shepherding back to network TV was evident.
Can Maya Rudolph Save the Variety Show?
Kevin Fallon
May 20, 2014
That was one of my earlier forays into the world of videos, and I got really excited by the format.
Hanging Out With the Minds Behind Google Doodles and Chrome Experiments
Douglas Wolk
May 5, 2014

Historical Examples

The format is pleasant, the book-marker voluptuous, the binding Arty-and-Crafty.
A Great Man
Arnold Bennett
The format of an invitation is not so important as its taste.
How to Write Letters (Formerly The Book of Letters)
Mary Owens Crowther
Some adaptations from the original text were made to format it into an e-text.
Beyond Good and Evil
Friedrich Nietzsche
It was changed to plain text to match the format of the rest of the text.
Uncle Sam
Albert Mathews
Format technique is just a fraction of producing an appealing play.
The Mind Digger
Winston Marks

British Dictionary definitions for format

format

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

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

Word Origin and History for format

n.

1840, via French format (18c.), ultimately from Modern Latin liber formatus "a book formed" (in such and such a way), referring to shape, size; from past participle of formare "to form" (see form (v.)).

v.

used chiefly of computers, 1964, from format (n.). Related: Formatted; formatting.

format in Science

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.

format

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;}}format

Related Words

Examples from the Web for format

Contemporary Examples

The format of quotations and snippets of songs and poems, made it easy to read, when reading anything longer was a challenge.

The letter is addressed to “FATHER ROBERT BERGDAHL-U.S.A.” following the format of ICRC messages.

The purpose of the evening is clear enough in its format: The majority of the show is about song-and-dance numbers from musicals.

From the get-go, her admiration for the format she was shepherding back to network TV was evident.

That was one of my earlier forays into the world of videos, and I got really excited by the format.

Historical Examples

The format is pleasant, the book-marker voluptuous, the binding Arty-and-Crafty.

The format of an invitation is not so important as its taste.

Some adaptations from the original text were made to format it into an e-text.

It was changed to plain text to match the format of the rest of the text.

Format technique is just a fraction of producing an appealing play.

format

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for format

n.

v.

format

Origin of format