for ‧ ma ‧ tion W3 /fɔːˈmeɪʃ ə n $ fɔːr-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ form , ↑ formation , ↑ transformation , ↑ reformer , ↑ reform , ↑ reformation , ↑ reformist , ↑ transformer , ↑ formlessness ; verb : ↑ form , ↑ reform , ↑ transform ; adjective : reformed, ↑ reformist , ↑ formless ; adverb : ↑ formlessly ]
1 . [uncountable] the process of starting a new organization or group SYN creation
formation of
the formation of a new government
2 . [uncountable] the process by which something develops into a particular thing or shape
formation of
the substances which lead to the formation of ozone
We now know a lot more about the early stages of planetary formation.
3 . [countable] the way in which a group of things are arranged to form a pattern or shape:
troop formations
4 . in formation if a group of planes, ships, soldiers etc are moving in formation, they are flying, marching etc in a particular order or pattern:
a squadron of aircraft, flying in formation
5 . [uncountable and countable] rock or cloud that is formed in a particular shape, or the shape in which it is formed
rock/cloud formation
the canyon’s impressive rock formations
6 . [uncountable and countable] technical society, politics etc seen as a system of practices and beliefs
social/political/cultural etc formation
Marx founded a new science: the science of the history of social formations.