formulate

verb

for·​mu·​late ˈfȯr-myə-ˌlāt How to pronounce formulate (audio)
formulated; formulating
Synonyms of formulatenext

transitive verb

1
a
: to reduce to or express in a formula
formulate the area of a rectangle
b
: to put into a systematized statement or expression
formulate long-term goals
c
: devise
formulate a policy
formulate a plan
2
a
: to develop a formula for the preparation of (something, such as a soap or plastic)
a plastic specially formulated to resist high temperatures
b
: to prepare according to a formula
formulate the vaccine against malaria
formulator noun

Examples of formulate in a Sentence

a plastic specially formulated to resist high temperatures the doctor was trying to formulate a good way to tell her that she would need surgery
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
And last but certainly not least, Cosmic Captain is formulated to take consumers to infinity and beyond with evening star oil and hints of crisp pear, cedarwood and creamy fig. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 15 May 2026 The petroleum jelly brand was formulated by a young chemist, Robert Chesebrough, who observed oil rig workers use the gooey residue to treat cuts and burns in 1870. Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 Republicans have been pleading with the White House to formulate and stick with a consistent message for the midterms. David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026 Mandatory frontier-model approval, as currently floated, is poorly targeted and creates an incumbent moat that locks in the largest developers; however, perhaps a better version could be formulated. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for formulate

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of formulate was in 1855

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Cite this Entry

“Formulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formulate. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

formulate

verb
for·​mu·​late ˈfȯr-myə-ˌlāt How to pronounce formulate (audio)
formulated; formulating
1
: to express in a formula
2
: to put in systematic form : state definitely and clearly
formulate a plan
formulation
ˌfȯr-myə-ˈlā-shən
noun
formulator noun

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