formulate

[fawr-myuh-leyt]

verb (used with object)

formulated, formulating 

1. 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

2. to devise or develop, as a method, system, etc.

3. to reduce to or express in a formula.

formulate

/ ˈfɔːmjʊˌleɪt /

verb

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

2. to devise

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of formulate¹

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

Example Sentences

They formulated an identity, and rode it to the winningest season in their franchise’s history at 97-65.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

While lawyers and their staff do much of the legwork for trial preparation, a client works with their attorneys to help formulate a defense.

Read more on Salon

Houlihan settled on the burrito argument because she and her legal team had just seven days to formulate a defense, she says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He advises patients to formulate clear questions, provide all the relevant context about their conditions and request different possible diagnoses rather than a single answer.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Customers getting anti-wrinkle injections formulated by Evolus, a medical aesthetics company, are stretching out how frequently they get treatments and reducing the number of injection units they get.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• codify 
• define 
• develop 
• devise 
• draft 
• draw up 
• forge 
• map 
• prepare 
• work out