Word
Definitions
01the act of creating
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the process of making or starting something, like a new company or a habit.
n. the act or process of assembling, creating, or developing a specific structure or entity.
“The formation of the new committee took several weeks of planning.”
“The rapid formation of ice crystals on the wings necessitated an immediate return to the hangar for de-icing procedures.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02military/flight arrangement
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a specific pattern or shape made by a group of people, planes, or ships moving together.
n. a formal arrangement of troops, ships, or aircraft, often maintained during movement for tactical advantage.
“The fighter jets flew in a perfect V formation over the stadium.”
“The infantry maintained a tight defensive formation as they advanced across the open terrain, wary of potential ambushes.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'in formation'.
Synonyms
03rock layer
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Geology Technical
n. a particular layer of rock or a natural shape in the ground.
n. a body of rock strata that consists of a certain lithologic type or combination of types.
“The tour guide pointed out the unusual rock formations in the cave.”
“The sedimentary formation revealed distinct layers of limestone and shale, providing a clear timeline of the region's prehistoric environment.”
04sports strategy
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Sports
n. the way players are positioned on a field for a game.
n. the tactical arrangement of players on a field or court at the start of a play or match.
“The coach decided to change the team's formation for the second half.”
“The manager opted for a more aggressive 4-3-3 formation, hoping to overwhelm the opponent's defensive line early in the match.”
05personal development
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Religion Formal · Academic
n. the process of training or shaping someone's character or skills.
n. the process of influencing or guiding a person toward a deeper understanding of a vocation or spiritual path.
“The school focuses on the moral formation of its students.”
“The seminary provides a rigorous program for the spiritual and intellectual formation of future clergy members.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “formation” in context.
Noun
01. formation of
“The formation of a new government took several weeks of intense negotiations.”
noun + of + noun
In Japanese
formation; molding; making (up)
formation
formation; establishment; materialization
Japanese from JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0. All sources.
Real-World Examples
“The region also contains multiple generations of stars living side by side, offering fresh clues about how star formation unfolds over time.” “After a switch to a, broadly, 3-5-2 formation the team improved, radically.” Etymology
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.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/formation
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0