formalize
verb
for·mal·ize
ˈfȯr-mə-ˌlīz 
formalized; formalizing
1
: to give a certain or definite form to : shape
2
a
: to make formal
b
: to give formal status or approval to
Examples of formalize in a Sentence
The company has formalized its hiring practices.
Congress formalized the policy by making it law.
Recent Examples on the Web
The market has been running in some fashion for over 35 years, but became more formalized in 2020.
—
Joe Brandt, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
After years of publicly feuding with DHS, Sheriff Garry McFadden met with department officials and formalized the process for ICE arrests at the county courthouse.
—Ryan Oehrli
april 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
Iran is formalizing a system that will require ships to pay transit fees to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
Gulf leaders, like many others, have understandable concerns about anything that could implicitly formalize Iran’s control of the strait.
—Comfort Ero, Time, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formalize
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Joe Brandt, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
After years of publicly feuding with DHS, Sheriff Garry McFadden met with department officials and formalized the process for ICE arrests at the county courthouse.
—Ryan Oehrli
april 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
Iran is formalizing a system that will require ships to pay transit fees to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
Gulf leaders, like many others, have understandable concerns about anything that could implicitly formalize Iran’s control of the strait.
—Comfort Ero, Time, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formalize
Cite this Entry
“Formalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formalize. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
formalize
verb
for·mal·ize
ˈfȯr-mə-ˌlīz
formalized; formalizing
1
: to make formal
2
: to give formal rank or approval to
formalizer
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
