formula

[ fawr-myuh-luh ]
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noun,plural for·mu·las, for·mu·lae [fawr-myuh-lee]. /ˈfɔr myəˌli/.
  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.

  1. Mathematics.

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

    • such a symbolic expression.

  2. Chemistry. an expression of the constituents of a compound by symbols and figures.: Compare empirical formula, molecular formula, structural formula.

  3. a recipe or prescription: a new formula for currant wine.

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

  5. a formal statement of religious doctrine.

  6. (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

1
1575–85; <Latin: register, form, rule. See form, -ule

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British Dictionary definitions for formula

formula

/ (ˈfɔːmjʊlə) /


nounplural -las or -lae (-ˌliː)
  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

  1. 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

  2. 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

1
C17: from Latin: diminutive of forma form

Derived 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

formula

[ fôrmyə-lə ]


Plural formulas formulae (fôrmyə-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, H2O is the formula for water, where H2 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.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.