formation
noun
for·ma·tion fȯr-ˈmā-shən 
1
: an act of giving form or shape to something or of taking form : development
2
: something that is formed
new word formations
3
: the manner in which a thing is formed : structure
the peculiar formation of the heart
4
: a major kind of plant growth (such as forest, grassland, or tundra) characteristic of a broad ecological region
5
a
: any igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock represented as a unit
b
: any sedimentary bed or consecutive series of beds sufficiently homogeneous or distinctive to be a unit
6
: an arrangement of a body or group of persons or things in some prescribed manner or for a particular purpose
flying in formation
Synonyms
- arrangement
- configuration
- conformation
- format
- layout
- setout
- setup
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The book explains the formation of the planets. The soldiers were marching in formation. The team ran on the field and lined up in a punt formation.
Recent Examples on the Web On his first pass of the game in shotgun formation, Smigiel took the snap and fired a deep spiral to Shane Rosenthal in full stride, resulting in a 73-yard touchdown. 
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2022 Fish found that swimming in single-file formation did indeed seem to reduce metabolic effort, especially for the youngest ducklings. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 15 Sep. 2022 Dressed in traditional gold belly-dancing ensembles and glittering face jewelry, the dancers then spread out across the stage in a new formation waving glowing orbs of light in their hands. Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 14 Sep. 2022 On a third-and-fourth, in the shotgun formation, Brissett snapped the ball and backed away in the pocket. Irie Harris, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2022 Or running 93 yards for a touchdown last fall — while playing quarterback for Pearl-Cohn in a wildcat formation. Brett Dawson, The Courier-Journal, 9 Sep. 2022 Especially against left-handed hitters, teams today often align their defenses in a triangular formation with one defender in shallow right field. Tim Brown, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 The parietal pleura is a membrane that's bound by connective tissue to the inner surface of the chest wall, and plays a major role in the formation and removal of pleural fluid, according to Science Direct. Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, 25 July 2022 Finley lined up in shotgun formation with Ashford split out as a wide receiver. al, 4 Sep. 2022 See More
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2022 Fish found that swimming in single-file formation did indeed seem to reduce metabolic effort, especially for the youngest ducklings. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 15 Sep. 2022 Dressed in traditional gold belly-dancing ensembles and glittering face jewelry, the dancers then spread out across the stage in a new formation waving glowing orbs of light in their hands. Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 14 Sep. 2022 On a third-and-fourth, in the shotgun formation, Brissett snapped the ball and backed away in the pocket. Irie Harris, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2022 Or running 93 yards for a touchdown last fall — while playing quarterback for Pearl-Cohn in a wildcat formation. Brett Dawson, The Courier-Journal, 9 Sep. 2022 Especially against left-handed hitters, teams today often align their defenses in a triangular formation with one defender in shallow right field. Tim Brown, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 The parietal pleura is a membrane that's bound by connective tissue to the inner surface of the chest wall, and plays a major role in the formation and removal of pleural fluid, according to Science Direct. Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, 25 July 2022 Finley lined up in shotgun formation with Ashford split out as a wide receiver. al, 4 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing formation
Kids Definition
formation
noun
for·ma·tion fȯr-ˈmā-shən
1
: a creation or development of something
the formation of good habits
2
: something that is formed or created
a cloud formation
3
: an arrangement of something
battle formation
punt formation
Medical Definition
formation
noun
for·ma·tion fȯr-ˈmā-shən
1
: an act of giving form or shape to something or of taking form : development
2
: the manner in which a thing is formed : structure
conformations
noun
1
as in shapes
the outward appearance of something as distinguished from its substance an ice sculpture in the conformation of a swan Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- shapes
- forms
- geometries
- figures
- configurations
- silhouettes
- fashions
- contours
- profiles
- skeletons
- layouts
- designs
- outlines
- organizations
- patterns
- shells
- frameworks
- casts
- formats
- arrangements
- frames
- plans
- setups
- makeups
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- materials
- substances
- compositions
- matters
- stuff
- raw materials
2
as in formations
the way in which something is sized, arranged, or organized the regular conformation of particles in a crystal Synonyms & Similar Words
- formations
- layouts
- formats
- configurations
- arrangements
- setups
- structures
- designs
- compositions
- plans
- setouts
- schemes
- constructions
- constitutions
- getups
- builds
- makeups
3
as in adjustments
the act or process of changing something to fit a new use or situation the conformation of their lives to the changing social order Synonyms & Similar Words
- adjustments
- adaptations
- adaptions
- accommodations
- transformations
- alterations
- acclimations
- conversions
- modifications
- harmonizations
- acclimatizations
- readjustments
- revisions
- readaptations
- attunements
- corrections
- makeovers
- refits
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- maladaptations