formulate

[fawr-myuh-leyt]

verb (used with object), for·mu·lat·ed, for·mu·lat·ing.

to express in precise form; state definitely or systematically: He finds it extremely difficult to formulate his new theory.

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

to reduce to or express in a formula.

Origin of formulate

First recorded in 1855–60; formul(a) + -ate¹

Related formsfor·mu·la·ble

[fawr-myuh-luh-buhl] /ˈfɔr myə lə bəl/, adjectivefor·mu·la·tion, nounfor·mu·la·tor, nounnon·for·mu·la·tion, nounpre·for·mu·late, verb (used with object), pre·for·mu·lat·ed, pre·for·mu·lat·ing.pre·for·mu·la·tion, nounun·for·mu·lat·ed, adjectivewell-for·mu·lat·ed, adjective

Synonyms for formulate

1. articulate, frame, compose, define, specify.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for formulator

Historical Examples of formulator

He became the lawgiver, the founder of classicism, the formulator of the academic ideal.
Artist and Public
Kenyon Cox

British Dictionary definitions for formulator

formulate

verb (tr)

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

to devise

Derived Formsformulator, noun

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

Word Origin and History for formulator

formulate

1860, "to express in a formula," from formula + -ate. Related: Formulated; formulating.