formation
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the process of making or starting something, like a new company or a habit.
the act or process of assembling, creating, or developing a specific structure or entity.
Simple“The formation of the new committee took several weeks of planning.”
In context“The rapid formation of ice crystals on the wings necessitated an immediate return to the hangar for de-icing procedures.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a specific pattern or shape made by a group of people, planes, or ships moving together.
a formal arrangement of troops, ships, or aircraft, often maintained during movement for tactical advantage.
Simple“The fighter jets flew in a perfect V formation over the stadium.”
In context“The infantry maintained a tight defensive formation as they advanced across the open terrain, wary of potential ambushes.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'in formation'.
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
a particular layer of rock or a natural shape in the ground.
a body of rock strata that consists of a certain lithologic type or combination of types.
Simple“The tour guide pointed out the unusual rock formations in the cave.”
In context“The sedimentary formation revealed distinct layers of limestone and shale, providing a clear timeline of the region's prehistoric environment.”
Synonymsstratumlayer - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
the way players are positioned on a field for a game.
the tactical arrangement of players on a field or court at the start of a play or match.
Simple“The coach decided to change the team's formation for the second half.”
In context“The manager opted for a more aggressive 4-3-3 formation, hoping to overwhelm the opponent's defensive line early in the match.”
- 05 C2 Proficiency
the process of training or shaping someone's character or skills.
the process of influencing or guiding a person toward a deeper understanding of a vocation or spiritual path.
Simple“The school focuses on the moral formation of its students.”
In context“The seminary provides a rigorous program for the spiritual and intellectual formation of future clergy members.”
Synonyms
Usage formation of
“After a switch to a, broadly, 3-5-2 formation the team improved, radically.”
“The region also contains multiple generations of stars living side by side, offering fresh clues about how star formation unfolds over time.”
From Middle English formacioun, formation, borrowed from Old French formacion, from Latin fōrmātiō, from fōrmō (“form”, verb); see form as verb. Morphologically form + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.