formation

American  

[fawr-may-shuhn] / fɔrˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

• formations
  plural

1. the act or process of forming or the state of being formed.

   the formation of ice.

   Synonyms:

   organization, establishment

2. the manner in which a thing is formed; disposition of parts; formal structure or arrangement.

3. Military.

   1. a particular disposition of troops, as in columns, squares, etc.

   2. any required assembling of the soldiers of a unit.

4. Geology.

   1. a body of rocks classed as a stratigraphic unit for geologic mapping.

   2. the process of depositing rock or mineral of a particular composition or origin.

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formation British  

/ fɔːˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of giving or taking form, shape, or existence

2. something that is formed

3. the manner in which something is formed or arranged

4. 1. a formal arrangement of a number of persons or things acting as a unit, such as a troop of soldiers, aircraft in flight, or a football team

   2. ( as modifier )

      formation dancing

5. geology

   1. the fundamental lithostratigraphic unit

   2. a series of rocks with certain characteristics in common

6. ecology a community of plants, such as a tropical rainforest, extending over a very large area

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formation Scientific  

/ fôr-mā′shən /

1. A long, mappable body of rock that is recognizable by its physical characteristics and by its location within the rock record.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• misformation
  noun
• nonformation
  noun
• self-formation
  noun
• subformation
  noun
• superformation
  noun
• formational
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• formations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of formation

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English formacioun, from Latin fōrmātiōn-, stem of fōrmātiō, from fōrmāt(us) “shaped” (past participle of fōrmāre “to shape, fashion”; cf. form) + -iō -ion

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Explanation

A formation is an arrangement of people or things. Planes flying in formation make a deliberate, specific pattern in the sky. Some formations are on purpose, or deliberate — like military troops marching in formation or a cheerleading squad arranging itself in formation. Others just arrange themselves in a particular way by chance, like a striking cloud formation overhead. You can also talk about the formation — or establishment — of something less physical, like the formation of a new government. The Latin root, formationem, means "a shaping."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

formation formations

Polyethylene and polypropylene exposure led to more ROS formation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

By identifying patterns associated with emotional intensity and memory formation separately, the scientists were able to examine how cortisol influenced each network and the interactions between them.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

Together, the three papers provide a much more complete picture of this unusual cluster and offer new insights into galaxy cluster formation during cosmic noon.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026

Since finishing fifth in 1991-92, the last season before the formation of the Premier League, City's highest placing had been eighth in 2004-05.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

They sailed over the meadow in a triangle formation, three dark shadows on the grass.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Army leaders have said NGC2 is crucial in an age of cheap drones and precision missiles, which make large, static formations of troops and equipment easy targets.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026

Susanville, the spot on the map, is an immutable intermingling of unique geologic formations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

Driscoll wanted urgent modernisation by adding drones throughout ordinary army formations to make it adept for 21st Century warfare.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

The deluge of ice and mud caused huge lakes, and one of these formations has become a risk of further floods.

From Barron's ● Aug. 30, 2026

They projected a sea of stars on the domed ceiling, and we all oohed and aahed as, one by one, the constellations were highlighted and morphed into Greekish-statue versions, making the formations easier to see.

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein

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Related Words

• arrangement
• construction
• creation
• design
• development
• evolution
• forming
• pattern
• production
• structure

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