First Known Use: 1840
Dictionary
1format
noun for·mat \ˈfȯr-ˌmat\
: the form, design, or arrangement of something (such as a book, magazine, or television or radio program)
: the way in which information is stored on a computer disk
Full Definition of FORMAT
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>
See format defined for English-language learners
See format defined for kids
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Origin of FORMAT
French or German; French, from German, from Latin formatus, past participle of formare to form, from forma
Related to FORMAT
- Synonyms
- arrangement, configuration, conformation, formation, layout, setout, setup
Rhymes with FORMAT
all that, at bat, at that, backchat, bath mat, bobcat, brass hat, brickbat, brown fat, brown rat, bullbat, Cassatt, chitchat, combat, coon cat, cowpat, cravat, Croat, deep fat, defat, dingbat, doormat, expat, fat cat, fiat, firebrat, flat-hat, fly at, fruit bat, get at, go at, have at, hellcat, hepcat, high-hat, house cat, jurat, keep at, leaf fat, look at, Manx cat, MCAT, meerkat, milk fat, mole rat, mudflat, muscat, Muscat, muskrat, nonfat, old hat, pack rat, pick at, place mat, plug hat, polecat, pot hat, Rotblat, rug rat, salt flat, savate, silk hat, slouch hat, sneeze at, snowcat, Sobat, stand pat, standpat, stonechat, strawhat, Surat, thereat, tin hat, tipcat, tomcat, top hat, trans fat, whereat, whinchat, white hat, wildcat, wombat, wool fat
2format
verb
: to arrange (something) in a particular format
: to prepare (a computer disk) so that it can store information in a particular format
for·mat·tedfor·mat·ting
Full Definition of FORMAT
transitive verb
1
: to arrange (as material to be printed or stored data) in a particular format
2
: to prepare (as a computer disk) for storing data in a particular format
— for·mat·ter noun
See format defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FORMAT
1964
FORMAT Defined for Kids
1format
noun for·mat \ˈfȯr-ˌmat\
Definition of FORMAT for Kids
: the general organization or arrangement of something
Word Root of FORMAT
The Latin word forma, meaning “form” or “shape,” gives us the root form. Words from the Latin forma have something to do with shape. The form of a person or thing is its shape. To conform is to fit in with others in form, shape, or manner. Something formal, such as dinner, follows a specific custom or form. The format of something, such as a book, is its general shape and arrangement.
2format
verb
for·mat·tedfor·mat·ting
Definition of FORMAT for Kids
1
: to organize or arrange in a certain way
2
: to prepare for storing computer data <format a disk>
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