formation
noun
for·ma·tion
fȯr-ˈmā-shən 
1
: an act of giving form or shape to something or of taking form : development
the formation of the planets
2
: something that is formed
new word formations
a rock formation
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
Examples of formation in a Sentence
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
An alternative is to build smaller satellites and fly them in preset formations called constellations.
—
Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
In the video, one airplane can be seen flying low over the ground while two helicopters follow closely behind – a formation that is consistent with an air-to-air refueling operation.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Hit the Blue Ridge Parkway North to Virginia Charlotte residents familiar with the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor can pair a Biltmore visit with a drive north to one of the East Coast’s most striking geological formations.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
Visitors will observe a landscape that features not only a diversity of wildflower species but also ancient sandstone formations.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formation
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Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
In the video, one airplane can be seen flying low over the ground while two helicopters follow closely behind – a formation that is consistent with an air-to-air refueling operation.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Hit the Blue Ridge Parkway North to Virginia Charlotte residents familiar with the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor can pair a Biltmore visit with a drive north to one of the East Coast’s most striking geological formations.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
Visitors will observe a landscape that features not only a diversity of wildflower species but also ancient sandstone formations.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for formation
Cite this Entry
“Formation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formation. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
formation
noun
for·ma·tion
fȯr-ˈmā-shən
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
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