formation Definition
for·ma·tion (fôr mā′s̸hən)
noun
- a forming or being formed
- a thing formed
- the way in which something is formed or arranged; structure
- an arrangement or positioning, as of troops, ships, airplanes in flight, football players, etc.
- Ecol. the major unit of vegetation usually extending over a large area, as the prairie, deciduous forest, tundra, etc.
- Geol. a rock unit distinguished from adjacent deposits by some common character, as composition, origin, type of fossil, etc.
Etymology: ME formacioun < OFr formation < L formatio < pp. of formare: see form
formation Synonyms
formation
n.
The process of forming
development, establishment, arrangement, crystallization, deposit, accumulation, production, composition, fabrication, generation, creation, genesis, induction, embodiment, synthesis, compilation, constitution, organization. Antonyms
destruction*, dissolution*, annihilation. An arrangement
configuration, disposition, structure, phalanx; see form 1, order 3.
formation Usage Examples
Preposition: of
- clot: Ginger has now been found to be as effective as aspirin in reducing the formation of clots and subsequent blockages.
- ozone: The student should:- Be able to describe the formation of ozone and the stratospheric ozone layer.
Converse of object
- inhibit: Adrenal corticosteroids stimulate resorption of bone and inhibit the formation of new bone.
- induce: Also the helper T lymphocytes induce the formation of CD8+ ( cytotoxic ) T lymphocytes which can directly kill the thyroid follicular epithelial cells.
- announce: It is the Editorial from the Barnet Bugle No 1, announcing the formation of Barnet Athletic Club in 1954.
- prevent: The duty did not extend to preventing the formation of ice or removing an accumulation of snow.
Adjective modifier
- geological: The groups were set tasks which required them to list geological formations that would be caused by given agents of erosion.
- reticular: Infection also involves motor cortex, hypothalamus, and globus pallidus, brainstem nuclei, reticular formation, cerebellar roof nuclei, and vermis.
- offshore: Bahamas company incorporation by Chesterfield Offshore offshore company formation Bahamas by Chesterfield Offshore.
- coral: Observe the abundance of marine life that inhabit these tropical waters and marvel at the brilliant display of colorful coral formations.
- amyloid: Automatic quantification of amyloid plaque formation in human spongiform encephalopathy.
- triangular: The object ( or objects ) were groups of lights in a shallow triangular formation moving.
Modifies a noun
- skydiving: I will be taking the formation skydiving course next.
- package: We offer a choice of Hong Kong company formation packages to suit your practice requirements.
Noun used with modifier
- rock: The prisoners blasted through rock formations to form cuttings.
- LLC: With our complete incorporation services and LLC formation packages, your business can be legally established in as little 48 hrs.
- star: What role do magnetic fields play in the early stages of star formation?
- bone: In its active form, vitamin D works with calcium to help control bone formation.
- galaxy: Understanding their evolution is extremely useful and sheds light on the many processes related to galaxy formation and evolution.
- cloud: Dry stone walls and simple cloud formations can provide a pleasing picture.

