formula

American  

[fawr-myuh-luh] / ˈfɔr myə lə /

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.

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formula British  

/ 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

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formula Scientific  

/ fôr′myə-lə /

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.

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• formulaic adjective

Etymology

Origin of formula

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

Example Sentences

Soccer history, who, despite a stellar resume as a club coach, has failed to find a consistent winning formula on the international level.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

“Work harder and keep more of your money. Nothing wrong with that, it’s a very simple formula for success.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Some other variations on the “lunch soup” formula:

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Since becoming president, Trump has essentially replicated the formula that characterized his career as a businessman: promoting his name like a brand, engraved in gold letters on his golf clubs, hotels and merchandise.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

The Planck formula did not zoom off to infinity as the wavelength decreased; instead of having the energy get bigger and bigger as the wavelength goes down, it got smaller and smaller again.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife