formula

[fawr-myuh-luh]

noun

plural

formulas, formulae 

1. a set form of words, as for stating or declaring something definitely or authoritatively, for indicating procedure to be followed, or for prescribed use on some ceremonial occasion.

2. any fixed or conventional method for doing something.

   His mystery stories were written according to a popular formula.

3. Mathematics.

   1. a rule or principle, frequently expressed in algebraic symbols.

   2. such a symbolic expression.

4. Chemistry.,  an expression of the constituents of a compound by symbols and figures.

5. a recipe or prescription.

   a new formula for currant wine.

6. a special nutritive mixture, especially of milk, sugar, and water, in prescribed proportions for feeding a baby.

7. a formal statement of religious doctrine.

8. (initial capital letter),  a set of specifications as to weight, engine displacement, fuel capacity, etc., for defining a class of racing cars (usually followed by a limiting numerical designation).

   Some races are open to Formula One cars.

formula

/ ˈfɔːmjʊlə, ˌfɔːmjʊˈleɪɪk /

noun

1. an established form or set of words, as used in religious ceremonies, legal proceedings, etc

2. maths physics a general relationship, principle, or rule stated, often as an equation, in the form of symbols

3. chem a representation of molecules, radicals, ions, etc, expressed in the symbols of the atoms of their constituent elements See molecular formula empirical formula structural formula

4. 1. a method, pattern, or rule for doing or producing something, often one proved to be successful

   2. ( as modifier )

      formula fiction

5. 1. a prescription for making up a medicine, baby's food, etc

   2. a substance prepared according to such a prescription

6. motor racing the specific category in which a particular type of car competes, judged according to engine size, weight, and fuel capacity

formula

plural

formulas 

1. A set of symbols showing the composition of a chemical compound. A formula lists the elements contained within it and indicates the number of atoms of each element with a subscript numeral if the number is more than 1. For example, H ₂ O is the formula for water, where H ₂ indicates two atoms of hydrogen and O indicates one atom of oxygen.

2. A set of symbols expressing a mathematical rule or principle. For example, the formula for the area of a rectangle is a = lw, where a is the area, l the length, and w the width.

Other Word Forms

• formulaic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of formula¹

1575–85; < Latin: register, form, rule. See form, -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of formula¹

C17: from Latin: diminutive of forma _form

Example Sentences

During the first six months of life, infants ingest significantly more aluminum from breast milk or formula than they get from vaccines.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Previously, corporations had the choice of paying California tax based on their share of sales in the state or, alternatively, a formula that factored more heavily their in-state payroll and property.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I don’t know that that’s a magic formula that works all the time,” Freedman added.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It is a simple formula but it has been life-changing for many members who say they walked in on their own but have made wonderful friends.

Read more on BBC

Supporters of the Fed’s current approach counter that rigid formulas can’t capture an economy in flux, and central bank officials have said as much.

Read more on Barron's

When To Use

Plural word for formula

The plural form of formula can be either formulas or formulae, pronounced [ fawr-myuh-lee ]. Formulas is more widely used. The plural form of several other singular words ending in -a are formed in this way, such as camera/cameras, pajama/pajamas, and pizza/pizzas. Irregular plurals that are formed like formulae, such as larva/larvae or fauna/faunae, derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin.