formula

[ fawr-myuh-luh ]

noun

, plural for·mu·las, for·mu·lae [fawr, -my, uh, -lee].

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. Compare empirical formula, molecular formula, structural formula.
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. See structural formula, empirical formula, molecular formula
   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

/ fôr′myə-lə /

, Plural formulas fôr′myə-lē′

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.

Derived 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

Anytime that’s the case, we can turn to the quadratic formula.

From FiveThirtyEight

The program will figure out whether there’s a way of assigning days to the babysitters that makes the formula true, or “satisfiable,” meaning you get the three days you want.

From Quanta Magazine

There are lots of ways of assigning 1s and 0s to this simple formula — or building the guest list — and it’s possible that after running through them the computer will conclude it’s not possible to satisfy all the competing demands.

From Quanta Magazine

Ostrander and her colleagues published their new formula online July 2 in Cell Systems.

From Science News For Students

Decoding the impact of rank changes into clicks and conversions can look like a simple formula for a customer at first.

From Search Engine Land

Indeed, Lion Air, with 45 percent of the domestic Indonesian airline market, has swallowed the Fernandes formula whole.

From The Daily Beast

I'm just not sure that the formula continues to work for us at 50 given other uses we might have for that money.

From The Daily Beast

Methane (chemical formula CH4) is one of the simplest hydrocarbons, which literally means “containing hydrogen and carbon.”

From The Daily Beast

The formula of most of their programs has Drew doing the house hunting and Jonathan doing the design and construction.

From The Daily Beast

Then a critical change was ordered—a fuel using a new formula that was thought to be more stable and deliver more power.

From The Daily Beast

The formula would be: “The pump invented—Drain a well ,” or Water raised in a hollow.

From Project Gutenberg

The formula for the date of its foundation in 1636 may be thus expressed—Harvard College founded; the chum age .

From Project Gutenberg

They had been in a rut long enough, and they laughed at the Colonel's formula, which nearly every child knew by heart.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he spoke of the Colonel, laughing at his peculiarities, and asking if she had ever heard of the Crompton "Formula."

From Project Gutenberg

We all use the formula of "your most obedient, humble servant," even when we intend anything but humility or obedience.

From Project Gutenberg

What Is The Plural Of Formula?

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.