formulate

American

[fawr-myuh-leyt] / ˈfɔr myəˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

formulated, formulating

to express in precise form; state definitely or systematically.

He finds it extremely difficult to formulate his new theory.

Synonyms:

specify, define, compose, frame, articulate
to devise or develop, as a method, system, etc.
to reduce to or express in a formula.

formulate British

/ ˈfɔːmjʊˌleɪt /

verb

to put into or express in systematic terms; express in or as if in a formula
to devise

"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

Other Word Forms

formulable adjective
formulation noun
formulator noun
nonformulation noun
preformulate verb (used with object)
preformulation noun
unformulated adjective
well-formulated adjective

Etymology

Origin of formulate

First recorded in 1855–60; formul(a) + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"This approach is poised to change the way we formulate vaccines," Mirkin said.

From Science Daily

They would take years to formulate and years longer to impact profits.

From Barron's

In 1992, many of those critics gathered around Clinton as he formulated his “New Democrat” campaign.

From Los Angeles Times

The bank denied the Journal’s reporting in January that a top Goldman executive told a few close associates he was formulating a contingency plan in which Ruemmler would leave later this year.

From The Wall Street Journal

I stopped in the doorway of Room 130 for a minute, just taking it in so I could do like soldiers do before a battle: assess the enemy, formulate a plan, get armed, and attack.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023