formation

[fawr-mey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of forming or the state of being formed.

   the formation of ice.

   Synonyms: organization, establishment

2. the manner in which a thing is formed; disposition of parts; formal structure or arrangement.

3. Military.

   1. a particular disposition of troops, as in columns, squares, etc.

   2. any required assembling of the soldiers of a unit.

4. Geology.

   1. a body of rocks classed as a stratigraphic unit for geologic mapping.

   2. the process of depositing rock or mineral of a particular composition or origin.

formation

/ fɔːˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of giving or taking form, shape, or existence

2. something that is formed

3. the manner in which something is formed or arranged

4. 1. a formal arrangement of a number of persons or things acting as a unit, such as a troop of soldiers, aircraft in flight, or a football team

   2. ( as modifier )

      formation dancing

5. geology

   1. the fundamental lithostratigraphic unit

   2. a series of rocks with certain characteristics in common

6. ecology a community of plants, such as a tropical rainforest, extending over a very large area

formation

1. A long, mappable body of rock that is recognizable by its physical characteristics and by its location within the rock record.

Other Word Forms

• formational adjective
• misformation noun
• nonformation noun
• self-formation noun
• subformation noun
• superformation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of formation¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English formacioun, from Latin fōrmātiōn-, stem of fōrmātiō, from fōrmāt(us) “shaped” (past participle of fōrmāre “to shape, fashion”; form ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

The way Chelsea's formation was initially, we didn't really expect that.

From BBC

Earlier this year, BBC Sport looked at the various formations, playing styles and tactics Tuchel might adopt, ranging from the fast and furious to the more cautious and pragmatic.

From BBC

The group also said it agreed to the formation of an administration run by independent technocrats to govern post-war Gaza.

From BBC

That, coupled with the perceived mess that Amorim inherited and his desire to play a completely different formation, meant many gave him a free pass last term.

From BBC

The highly choreographed parade will see tens of thousands of military personnel march in formation through Tiananmen Square, including troops from 45 of the so-called echelons of China's military as well as war veterans.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrangement 
• construction 
• creation 
• design 
• development 
• evolution 
• forming www.thesaurus.com
• pattern 
• production 
• structure