the shape and structure of something as distinguished from its material or content

a body, e.g. of a person, esp in its external appearance or as distinguished from the face

an established or correct method of proceeding or behaving; formality

just a matter of form

a prescribed and set order of words

conduct regulated by external controls, e.g. custom or etiquette; ceremony

manner or conduct of a specified sort, as tested by a prescribed or accepted standard

bad form

the way in which something is arranged, exists, or shows itself

a novel written in the form of a letter

a kind or variety

Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia — E L Doctorow

orderly method of arrangement, e.g. in the presentation of ideas, a way of coordinating elements, as, for example, in an artistic production or line of reasoning

His work lacks form

the structural element, plan, or design of a work of art: compare content⁴ (3)

the past performances of a competitor, racehorse, greyhound, etc considered as a guide to future performance

known ability to perform

at the top of one's form

(often + in/out of/off) condition suitable for performing well, esp in sports

to give shape or existence to

to mould into a particular shape

to create or establish

to come into existence; to take shape

to serve to make up or constitute

to give form, shape, or existence to (something or somebody)

The pots were formed from clay

It's hard to form a judgment

to join together as (a group)

We formed a pressure group

to give a particular shape to (something)

to arrange or be arranged in (a shape)

The people formed a line outside the shop

to arrange (somebody or something) in order

The battalion advanced as soon as the lines were formed

to model or train (a person, a person's mind, etc) by instruction and discipline

There is nothing finer than a mind formed by classical education

to produce (e.g. a tense) by inflection

All these verbs form the past in -ed

to combine to make (a compound word)