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formation

formation

122 3.6
An arrangement of people or things in a pattern for a purpose
  • noun
  • /fɔːrˈmeɪʃən/
translation icon : formación
  • During the exercise, the team arranged themselves in a strategic formation to maximize their effectiveness.
  • a military formation
  • fly in formation
  • a political formation

Their enemy rides in formation on horseback.

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Examples

  • Twenty-four hours later, the Gothas returned, flying in neat fan-like formation into the heart of London.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • About ten soldiers stood in formation in the middle of the deserted and crumbling crossroads.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • It's a perfect V formation, just incredible.

  • So we'll get to enjoy them in the circle formation one more year.

  • This is kind of the ideal formation for our opponents.

  • Soldiers from the local garrison were in formation to the east of the square.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Clay has a bird's eye view of the formation, spread out in perfect "Vs" across the sky.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Twelve aeroplanes in perfect formation, like a flight of wild ducks, came overhead.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The ducks flew in a perfect formation across the lake.

  • The soldiers maintained a tight formation as they marched through the parade.

Synonyms

order
vsformation
1.0

The arrangement of things in a neat sequence

focuses on pattern organized for a purpose rather than strict sequence
line
vsformation
1.0

A row of people or things standing one behind another

is any pattern or grouping organized for a purpose not only straight rows
arrangement
vsformation
135 2.7

The way things are placed or organized in a place

focuses more on purposeful pattern and intent rather than mere placement
configuration
vsformation
107 4.8

How parts are arranged in something, like furniture or a machine

is used for people or things placed together with a clear purpose
organization
vsformation
  • US
72 2.7

Arranging people or things in a neat, planned order

emphasizes a specific purposeful pattern rather than general ordering
grouping
vsformation
20 2.5

Putting people and things together because they are similar or have the same purpose

focuses on a deliberate pattern made for a purpose rather than mere clusters
assemblage
vsformation
3 6.6

A group of people gathered for a common purpose, like at a meeting

focuses on the specific pattern or layout rather than merely being gathered
military formation
vsformation
1 4.8

A group of soldiers who move in a set pattern to fight

applies to people or things organized for a purpose in any field
assembling
vsformation
2.7

Bringing parts or people together to make one whole

describes the resulting pattern and purpose rather than the bringing together process

Compounds

rock formation
  • Specialized
14 3.6

A natural shape of rocks made over a long time by wind or water

geological formation
  • Specialized
3 4.4

A natural layer of rock or soil that looks different from the layers around it

reticular formation
  • Specialized
1 8.7

A network of nerve cells deep in the brain that helps control being awake, attention, sleep, and muscle tone

A group of soldiers who move in a set pattern to fight

reaction formation
  • Specialized
1 9.3

A way a person acts without knowing to hide feelings by doing the opposite

bistellar formation
  • Specialized
9.9

A pattern of two or more stars seen in the sky

calque formation
  • Specialized
9.8

Making a new phrase by translating the words of one from another language, for example skyscraper from French

back-formation
  • Specialized
8.6

A word made by removing an ending from a longer word

heat of formation
  • Specialized
6.7

The heat released or absorbed per mole when a compound forms from its elements under standard conditions

5.8

To make something again in a new or better way

pair formation
  • Specialized
9.9

When a high energy light particle turns into an electron and a positron near an atomic nucleus

How Organized

formation
122 3.6
grouping
10 2.7
cluster
210 3.1
mess
1.0

Surface Forms

formation singular
formations plural

Morphology

formation = form (transparent) = form + ation

A direct nominalization of the verb 'form' meaning an arrangement; learners who know 'form' can infer this meaning.

Etymology

Formation comes from the basic root form, which means 'shape' or 'to make'. Think of birds flying in a V: that V is a formation because the birds are put into a clear 'shape' or order.