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
formatted; formatting
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
Synonyms
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
Major Garrett, CBS News, 31 May 2024
Now this mainstay of N.B.A. coverage may be endangered — at least in its current format.
—Tania Ganguli, New York Times, 28 May 2024
Edward Mendelson, PCMAG, 31 May 2024
The Memento process takes about six weeks and begins with a client sending in an image that’s then formatted and mocked up for placement on a gold pendant, which is offered in both oval and circular shapes.
—Jamie Sims Angela Koh Caitie Kelly Gage Daughdrill Shannon Adducci Ella Riley-Adams Caitie Kelly Angela Koh, New York Times, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for format 
Noun
Commission debates have traditionally been carried by all networks without commercial breaks or glaring promotional overlays and constant haggling over format, moderators, locations and myriad other issues.
—Major Garrett, CBS News, 31 May 2024
Now this mainstay of N.B.A. coverage may be endangered — at least in its current format.
—Tania Ganguli, New York Times, 28 May 2024
Verb
As in other office suites like LibreOffice and iWork, an optional formatting panel appears on the right, and an optional toolbar on the left leads to features like search and comments.
—Edward Mendelson, PCMAG, 31 May 2024
The Memento process takes about six weeks and begins with a client sending in an image that’s then formatted and mocked up for placement on a gold pendant, which is offered in both oval and circular shapes.
—Jamie Sims Angela Koh Caitie Kelly Gage Daughdrill Shannon Adducci Ella Riley-Adams Caitie Kelly Angela Koh, New York Times, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for format
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'format.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near format
Cite this Entry
“Format.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/format. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
format
1 of 2 noun
for·mat
ˈfȯ(ə)r-ˌmat 
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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