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
Luke Leitch, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2024
On that ranking, which looks at all formats that songs can be sold on—with vinyl leading the charge most of the time—The Beatles lift from No. 20 to No. 17 as their smash nears a full year on the roster.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 20 Sep. 2024
The big picture: Those investors typically receive thousands of different documents from hundreds of funds they're invested in, all of which are formatted differently.
—Ryan Lawler, Axios, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for format 
Noun
For why else shutter two highly successful fashion show formats in favor of an untested runway-free jamboree of collaboration?
The A$AP Rocky still for the Moncler Born Genius campaign.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2024
On that ranking, which looks at all formats that songs can be sold on—with vinyl leading the charge most of the time—The Beatles lift from No. 20 to No. 17 as their smash nears a full year on the roster.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Verb
Apple also introduced the ability to format those drives.
—Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 20 Sep. 2024
The big picture: Those investors typically receive thousands of different documents from hundreds of funds they're invested in, all of which are formatted differently.
—Ryan Lawler, Axios, 26 Sep. 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 18 Oct. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share