Synonyms of formatnext
1
: the shape, size, and general makeup (as of something printed)
2
: general plan of organization, arrangement, or choice of material (as for a television show)
3
: a method of organizing data (as for storage)
various file formats

format

2 of 2

verb

formatted; formatting

transitive verb

1
: to arrange (something, such as material to be printed or stored data) in a particular format
2
: to prepare (something, such as a computer disk) for storing data in a particular format
formatter noun

Examples of format in a Sentence

Noun The journals are available in electronic format. The file is saved in MP3 format. Verb The book is formatted in several different styles. The data was improperly formatted.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Back in 2015, Parton and her team buried a chestnut box filled with physical copies of a brand new song in two formats, cassette and CD, along with their corresponding players, under her Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa. Isabelle Farina, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 The format overtook long-form video in average daily use, ranking second among audiovisual categories. Matthew Tan, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
Private-Mail goes even further, stripping out all formatting. Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026 But Korn, who teaches leadership at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, warns that using AI to perfectly format and keyword stuff your resume could actually backfire. Courtney Connley-Hampton, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for format

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French or German; French, from German, from Latin formatus, past participle of formare to form, from forma

First Known Use

Noun

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1964, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of format was in 1840

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Cite this Entry

“Format.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/format. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: the general organization or arrangement of something
2
: a method of organizing data (as for storage)
a file format

format

2 of 2 verb
formatted; formatting
1
: to produce in a particular format
2
: to prepare for storing computer data
format the disk
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