formula
[ fawr-myuh-luh ]
/ ˈfɔr myə lə /
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noun, plural for·mu·las, for·mu·lae [fawr-myuh-lee]. /ˈfɔr myəˌli/.
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How to use formula in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for formula
formula
/ (ˈfɔːmjʊlə) /
noun plural -las or -lae (-ˌliː)
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 elementsSee 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
Derived forms of formula
formulaic (ˌfɔːmjʊˈleɪɪk), adjectiveWord Origin for formula
C17: from Latin: diminutive of forma form
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for formula
formula
[ fôr′myə-lə ]
Plural formulas formulae (fôr′myə-lē′)
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
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