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
Danny Davis, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
The move marks the first time a Channel 4 YouTube format has transferred to linear and the pilot will likely air around Christmas.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024
Reece Rogers, WIRED, 24 Sep. 2024
Due to how playoff series are formatted, a fifth starter is more valuable in the regular season than the postseason.
—Katie Woo, The Athletic, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for format 
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Noun
The tournament will use a double-elimination format until the semifinals.
—Danny Davis, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
The move marks the first time a Channel 4 YouTube format has transferred to linear and the pilot will likely air around Christmas.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
And the proliferation of generative AI tools, which developers are currently pushing out to the public through smartphone apps and even formatting devices around it, just heightens the necessity for better education on what AI even is and its limitations.
—Reece Rogers, WIRED, 24 Sep. 2024
Due to how playoff series are formatted, a fifth starter is more valuable in the regular season than the postseason.
—Katie Woo, The Athletic, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for format
Dictionary Entries Near format
Cite this Entry
“Format.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/format. Accessed 1 Dec. 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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