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
Martino Carrera, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025
But his time in the uncompromising Test format, where flaws can't be papered over, appears up after such a losing battle against Boland.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Brian Gioiele, Connecticut Post, 30 Dec. 2024
Worst practices In-house production has been reduced or outsourced, and in 2023 Elsevier began using AI during production without informing the board, resulting in many style and formatting errors, as well as reversing versions of papers that had already been accepted and formatted by the editors.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for format 
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Noun
The move on his namesake brand, coupled with Loewe’s decision to showcase the fall 2025 men’s and women’s collections with a coed format in March during Paris Fashion Week, has fueled speculation around the designer’s next move.
—Martino Carrera, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025
But his time in the uncompromising Test format, where flaws can't be papered over, appears up after such a losing battle against Boland.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
As Gary Scarpa creates new stories and characters, Mia both edits and formats the interior of his novels.
—Brian Gioiele, Connecticut Post, 30 Dec. 2024
Worst practices In-house production has been reduced or outsourced, and in 2023 Elsevier began using AI during production without informing the board, resulting in many style and formatting errors, as well as reversing versions of papers that had already been accepted and formatted by the editors.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 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 10 Jan. 2025.
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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