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
Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 4 July 2024
Listen in multiple audio formats, including Dolby Digital 2-channel and DTS 2-channel.
—Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PCMAG, 4 July 2024
David Pierce, The Verge, 3 July 2024
It just wasn't formatted in a way that would actually make people click on it.
—Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for format 
Noun
For those unfamiliar with the format of Love Island, the popular US dating show follows a similar structure to the UK version.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 4 July 2024
Listen in multiple audio formats, including Dolby Digital 2-channel and DTS 2-channel.
—Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PCMAG, 4 July 2024
Verb
Proton Docs looks a lot like Google Docs: white pages, formatting toolbar at the top, live indicators showing who’s in the doc with their name attached to a cursor, the whole deal.
—David Pierce, The Verge, 3 July 2024
It just wasn't formatted in a way that would actually make people click on it.
—Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 2 July 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 15 Jul. 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