formation
UK /fɔːˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/ · US /fɔɹˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/ noun
Forms formations
- noun The act of assembling a group or structure. [from 14th c.]
- noun Something possessing structure or form. [from 17th c.]
- noun The process during which something comes into being and gains its characteristics. [from 18th c.]
- noun (military) A grouping of military units or smaller formations under a command, such as a brigade, division, wing, etc. [from 18th c.]
- noun (geology) A layer of rock of common origin. [from 19th c.]
- noun (military) An arrangement of moving troops, ships, or aircraft, such as a wedge, line abreast, or echelon. Often "in formation".
- noun (sports) An arrangement of players designed to facilitate certain plays.
- noun The process of influencing or guiding a person to a deeper understanding of a particular vocation.
Synonyms
shaping constitution establishment organization organisation geological formation
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.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The act of giving form or shape to anything; a forming; a shaping.
- noun The manner in which a thing is formed; structure; construction; conformation; form; as, the peculiar formation of the heart.
Etymology [L. formatio: cf. F. formation.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “formation”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details