1
: the shape, size, and general makeup (as of something printed)
2
: general plan of organization, arrangement, or choice of material (as for a television show)
3
: a method of organizing data (as for storage)
various file formats
formatted; formatting
1
: to arrange (something, such as material to be printed or stored data) in a particular format
2
: to prepare (something, such as a computer disk) for storing data in a particular format
formatter
noun
Examples of format in a Sentence
Noun
The journals are available in electronic format.
The file is saved in MP3 format.
Verb
The book is formatted in several different styles.
The data was improperly formatted.
Recent Examples on the Web
Deadline, 20 May 2026
Modern platforms can interact with those legacy systems through translation layers that convert old messages into new formats.
—Daniela Binatti, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
The racing form, ostensibly to inform bettors, looks like a spreadsheet strewn with figures, arcana and formatting designed specifically to be impenetrable.
—Neil Greenberg, New York Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for format
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Noun
Building on its leadership in gimbal and imaging technology, DJI positions the new device as a compact filmmaking tool designed to bring professional-grade cinematic performance into a truly pocket-sized format.
—Deadline, 20 May 2026
Modern platforms can interact with those legacy systems through translation layers that convert old messages into new formats.
—Daniela Binatti, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Verb
Many cities have had trouble hitting that bar, and FIFA eventually acquiesced to format changes.
—Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
The racing form, ostensibly to inform bettors, looks like a spreadsheet strewn with figures, arcana and formatting designed specifically to be impenetrable.
—Neil Greenberg, New York Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for format
Cite this Entry
“Format.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/format. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
format
1 of 2 noun
for·mat
ˈfȯ(ə)r-ˌmat 
1
: the general organization or arrangement of something
2
: a method of organizing data (as for storage)
a file format
format
2 of 2 verb
formatted; formatting
1
: to produce in a particular format
2
: to prepare for storing computer data
format the disk
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