Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act or process of forming or creating something: This refers to the action of bringing something into existence or giving it shape.
   • A particular arrangement or pattern: This describes the way in which parts are arranged or positioned to form a whole.
   • A thing that has been formed: This can refer to a specific structure or unit that results from the process of formation.
   • (Geology) A distinct body of rock with recognizable characteristics: This is a specific layer or series of layers of rock in the ground.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The formation of ice on the lake happens every winter. (The process of ice coming into existence.)
  • The soldiers marched in a tight formation. (A specific arrangement of people.)
  • The rock formation was millions of years old. (A distinct geological structure.)
  • The new company is a recent formation. (A thing that has been created.)

Advanced Usage

• "In formation": Arranged in a specific, often orderly, pattern.
  • The geese flew south in a V formation.
• "Battle formation": A specific arrangement of military troops for combat.
  • The general ordered the troops into battle formation.

Variants and Related Words

• Form (verb/noun): To shape or create; the shape or structure of something.
  • She helped form a new committee. (Verb)
  • The cake was in the form of a castle. (Noun)
• Formative (adjective): Having a strong influence on development.
  • His childhood was a formative period.

Synonyms

• Creation: The act of bringing something into existence.
• Arrangement: The way things are positioned or organized.
• Structure: Something built or arranged in a definite pattern.
• Configuration: An arrangement of parts in a particular form.

Related Phrases

• Break formation: To move out of an arranged pattern.
  • The soldiers were ordered not to break formation.
• Fall into formation: To move into an arranged pattern.
  • The team quickly fell into formation for the drill.

Related Idioms

• Second nature: A behavior or skill so familiar it seems automatic, often resulting from repeated formation.
  • After years of practice, playing the piano was second nature to her.

Noun

1. creation by mental activity
   • the formation of sentences
   • the formation of memories
2. natural process that causes something to form
   • the formation of gas in the intestine
   • the formation of crystals
   • the formation of pseudopods
3. a particular spatial arrangement
4. (geology) the geological features of the earth
5. the act of forming or establishing something
   • the constitution of a PTA group last year
   • it was the establishment of his reputation
   • he still remembers the organization of the club
6. the act of fabricating something in a particular shape
7. an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
   • a defensive formation
   • a formation of planes