Formation
/fɔːˈmeɪʃən/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe act or process of forming something; the way in which something is formed or arranged.
/fɔːˈmeɪʃən/
The act of forming or the process of being formed.
The formation of ice crystals on the window was beautiful.
💡 Simply: It's like when you're making something, like a sandcastle. The 'formation' is how you put all the sand and water together to make the castle! It can also refer to how something is arranged, like a line of ducks swimming in 'formation'.
👶 For kids: When something is being made or how things are put together.
More Examples
The teacher explained the formation of clouds.
The company's formation was a result of a merger.
How It's Used
"The formation of the committee took several months."
"The rock formation was a result of volcanic activity."
"The soldiers marched in strict formation."
"The team adopted a new offensive formation."
A structured arrangement, especially of people or things.
/fɔːˈmeɪʃən/
A particular arrangement or structure.
The geese flew south in a V formation.
💡 Simply: Imagine a team lined up on a field – that's their 'formation'! It's the way they are arranged. Or maybe a beautiful rock structure in nature – that's a rock 'formation'!
👶 For kids: How things are lined up or put together in a special way.
More Examples
The football team practiced their offensive formations.
The rock formation provided a stunning view.
How It's Used
"The team uses a 4-4-2 formation."
"The air force flew in a tight formation."
"The rock formation was a popular hiking spot."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
flight formation
A coordinated arrangement of aircraft in flight.
"The fighter jets flew in close flight formation."
rock formation
A natural arrangement of rocks.
"The Grand Canyon is known for its stunning rock formations."
From Latin *formātiō* ('a shaping or forming'), from *formāre* ('to form, shape'). The word evolved to describe the act of forming or being formed, and later, the resulting structure or arrangement.
Used since the 15th century, originally referring to the act of shaping or giving form to something. Gradually evolved to encompass the resulting structure and arrangement.
Memory tip
Imagine a clay statue. The 'formation' is the process of shaping the clay.
Word Origin
"to form, shape"