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Webster 1913 Edition


Formation

For-ma′tion

(fŏr-mā′shŭn)
,
Noun.
[L.
formatio
: cf. F.
formation
.]
1.
The act of giving form or shape to anything; a forming; a shaping.
Beattie.
2.
The manner in which a thing is formed; structure; construction; conformation; form;
as, the peculiar
formation
of the heart
.
3.
A substance formed or deposited.
4.
(Geol.)
(a)
Mineral deposits and rock masses designated with reference to their origin;
as, the siliceous
formation
about geysers; alluvial
formations
; marine
formations
.
(b)
A group of beds of the same age or period;
as, the Eocene
formation
.
5.
(Mil.)
The arrangement of a body of troops, as in a square, column, etc.
Farrow.

Webster 1828 Edition


Formation

FORMA'TION

,
Noun.
[L. formatio.]
1.
The act of forming or making; the act of creating or causing to exist; or more generally, the operation of composing, by bringing materials together, or of shaping and giving form; as the formation of the earth; the formation of a state or constitution.
2.
Generation; production; as the formation of ideas.
3.
The manner in which a thing is formed. Examine the peculiar formation of the heart.
4.
In grammar, the act or manner of forming one word from another, as controller from control.
5.
In geology, formation may signify a single mass of one kind of rock, more or less extensive, or a collection of mineral substances, formed by the same agent, under the same or similar circumstances; or it may convey the idea, that certain masses or collections of minerals were formed not only by the same agent, but also at the same time. In this latter sense the term is almost always employed.

Definition 2024


Formation

Formation

See also: formation and formâtion

German

Noun

Formation f (genitive Formation, plural Formationen)

  1. formation
  2. configuration

formation

formation

See also: Formation and formâtion

English

Noun

formation (plural formations)

  1. Something possessing structure or form.
  2. The act of assembling a group or structure.
  3. (geology) A rock or face of a mountain.
  4. (military) A grouping of military units or smaller formations under a command, such as a brigade, division, wing, etc.
  5. (military) An arrangement of moving troops, ships, or aircraft, such as a wedge, line abreast, or echelon. Often "in formation".
  6. The process of influencing or guiding a person to a deeper understanding of a particular vocation.
  7. The process during which something comes into being and gains its characteristics.

Related terms

Synonyms

  • (military grouping of units): battle group, brigade group, task force, combat team
  • (military arrangement of forces): tactical formation, battle formation

Translations

External links

  • formation in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • formation in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin formatio.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /fɔʁmasjɔ̃/

Noun

formation f (plural formations)

  1. formation, forming, development
  2. education; training
    Je suis gynécologue de formation. I'm a trainee gynecologist.
  3. (military) formation

Derived terms