definitions

format

[ fawr-mat ]
/ ˈfɔr mæt /

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.

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Nearby words

formally, formalwear, formamidase, forman, formant, format, formate, formatio, formation, formation dance, formation rules

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. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for formatter

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

Science definitions for formatter

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.