formation
/fɔɹˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.49 in modern English
14
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
3
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The process during which something comes into being and gains its characteristics.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A grouping of military units or smaller formations under a command, such as a brigade, division, wing, etc.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
An arrangement of moving troops, ships, or aircraft, such as a wedge, line abreast, or echelon. Often "in formation".
Countable; Uncountable
noun
The process of influencing or guiding a person to a deeper understanding of a particular vocation.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "Some cloud formation was confirmed and rainfall was observed over some islands."
- "Over a broad region, the color of a formation may change."
- "N'Golo Kanté embodies both sides of this, a player whose early scratchiness was soothed with glorious results in the new 3-4-3 formation, allowed simply to be his best, most wonderfully mobile, diligent, destructive self."
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.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /fɔɹˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/
- British English: /fɔːˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/