formula
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.
any fixed or conventional method for doing something: His mystery stories were written according to a popular formula.
Mathematics.
a rule or principle, frequently expressed in algebraic symbols.
such a symbolic expression.
Chemistry. an expression of the constituents of a compound by symbols and figures.: Compare empirical formula, molecular formula, structural formula.
a recipe or prescription: a new formula for currant wine.
a special nutritive mixture, especially of milk, sugar, and water, in prescribed proportions for feeding a baby.
a formal statement of religious doctrine.
(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.
Origin of formula
1Words Nearby formula
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use formula in a sentence
Anytime that’s the case, we can turn to the quadratic formula.
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.
Computer Scientists Attempt to Corner the Collatz Conjecture | Kevin Hartnett | August 26, 2020 | Quanta MagazineThere 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.
Computer Search Settles 90-Year-Old Math Problem | Kevin Hartnett | August 19, 2020 | Quanta MagazineOstrander and her colleagues published their new formula online July 2 in Cell Systems.
To figure out your dog’s ‘real’ age, you’ll need a calculator | Bethany Brookshire | August 12, 2020 | Science News For StudentsDecoding the impact of rank changes into clicks and conversions can look like a simple formula for a customer at first.
How to craft a winning SEO proposal and avoid getting a silent ‘No’ | Sponsored Content: SEOmonitor | August 3, 2020 | Search Engine Land
Indeed, Lion Air, with 45 percent of the domestic Indonesian airline market, has swallowed the Fernandes formula whole.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501 | Clive Irving | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTI'm just not sure that the formula continues to work for us at 50 given other uses we might have for that money.
Inside Sony’s ‘Pineapple Express 2 Drama’: Leaked Emails Reveal Fight Over Stoner Comedy Sequel | William Boot | December 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMethane (chemical formula CH4) is one of the simplest hydrocarbons, which literally means “containing hydrogen and carbon.”
The formula of most of their programs has Drew doing the house hunting and Jonathan doing the design and construction.
How the Property Brothers Became Your Mom’s Favorite TV Stars | Kevin Fallon | November 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThen a critical change was ordered—a fuel using a new formula that was thought to be more stable and deliver more power.
Virgin Galactic’s Flight Path to Disaster: A Clash of High Risk and Hyperbole | Clive Irving | November 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe formula would be: “The pump invented—Drain a well ,” or Water raised in a hollow.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)The formula for the date of its foundation in 1636 may be thus expressed—Harvard College founded; the chum age .
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)They had been in a rut long enough, and they laughed at the Colonel's formula, which nearly every child knew by heart.
The Cromptons | Mary J. HolmesThen he spoke of the Colonel, laughing at his peculiarities, and asking if she had ever heard of the Crompton "formula."
The Cromptons | Mary J. HolmesWe all use the formula of "your most obedient, humble servant," even when we intend anything but humility or obedience.
British Dictionary definitions for formula
/ (ˈfɔːmjʊlə) /
an established form or set of words, as used in religious ceremonies, legal proceedings, etc
maths physics a general relationship, principle, or rule stated, often as an equation, in the form of symbols
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
a method, pattern, or rule for doing or producing something, often one proved to be successful
(as modifier): formula fiction
a prescription for making up a medicine, baby's food, etc
a substance prepared according to such a prescription
motor racing the specific category in which a particular type of car competes, judged according to engine size, weight, and fuel capacity
Origin of formula
1Derived forms of formula
- formulaic (ˌfɔːmjʊˈleɪɪk), adjective
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
Scientific definitions for formula
[ fôr′myə-lə ]
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, H2O is the formula for water, where H2 indicates two atoms of hydrogen and O indicates one atom of oxygen.
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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