formula
noun
for·mu·la
| \ ˈfȯr-myə-lə
\
\
plural formulas
or formulae\ ˈfȯr-myə-ˌlē
, -ˌlī \
, -ˌlī \
Definition of formula
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a set form of words for use in a ceremony or ritual
b
: a conventionalized statement intended to express some fundamental truth or principle especially as a basis for negotiation or action
2a(1)
: recipe
The product is made using a secret formula that the company refuses to reveal.
(2)
: prescription
b
: a milk mixture or substitute for feeding an infant
3a
: a general fact, rule, or principle expressed in usually mathematical symbols
b
: a symbolic expression of the chemical composition or constitution of a substance
c
: a group of symbols (such as letters and numbers) associated to express facts or data (such as the number and kinds of teeth in the jaw) concisely
d
: a combination of signs in a logical calculus
4
: a customary or set form or method allowing little room for originality
All her books were written according to a familiar formula.
formula
adjectiveDefinition of formula (Entry 2 of 2)
: of, relating to, or being an open-wheel open-cockpit rear-engine racing car conforming to prescribed specifications as to size, weight, and engine displacement
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Other Words from formula
Noun
formulaic
\ ˌfȯr-myə-ˈlā-ik
\
adjective
\
adjective
formulaically
\ ˌfȯr-myə-ˈlā-ə-k(ə-)lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
Examples of formula in a Sentence
Noun
His investment strategy is based on a simple formula. This has proven to be a winning formula. The product is made using a secret formula that the company refuses to reveal. The formula for water is H2O. infants drinking formula instead of their mother's milk
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Each package will contain a cloth grocery bag full of essential items and toiletries: toothpaste and toothbrushes, ibuprofen, reading glasses, rubbing alcohol, work gloves, shampoo, baby formula and tampons. — Laura Kinsler, orlandosentinel.com, "As Hurricane Dorian moves off Bahamas, Central Florida mobilizes relief effort for devastated islands," 3 Sep. 2019 Even if only a quarter of that were cultivated, the county would be due between $24 million and $36 million annually in taxes, using the consultant’s formula and price-per-pound of $500 to $750. — Joe Mozingo, chicagotribune.com, "The world’s largest pot farms, and how Santa Barbara opened the door," 26 Aug. 2019 Upgrade your morning shower with one like Grown Alchemist's beautiful botanical formula and make your early post-gym routine a moment of pure tranquility. — Karina Hoshikawa, refinery29.com, "Net-a-Porter Is Having A 24-Hour Beauty Flash Sale — Here's What To Buy," 25 July 2019 Billboard analyzed these streaming revenues year-by-year and based on knowledge of that formula and other circumstances, did an estimate that yielded a publishing rate of 12.3% of revenue. — Ed Christman, Billboard, "Just How Much Money Is There in Unclaimed Black Box Royalties?," 26 June 2019 Relatives gave the family money for food, formula and diapers. — Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, "For generations, Illinois’ child welfare agency has failed to adequately serve Spanish-speaking families with children in its care.," 20 June 2019 But exceptions will be made for baby food, baby formula and nursing supplies. — Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "What families need to know about Summerfest, from free stuff for kids to how to bring in diapers," 17 June 2019 Even if only a quarter of that were cultivated, the county would be due between $24 million and $36 million annually in taxes, using the consultant’s formula and price-per-pound of $500 to $750. — Joe Mozingo, San Diego Union-Tribune, "The world’s largest pot farms, and how Santa Barbara opened the door," 12 June 2019 The frozen world, the cold thin air and the implacable harshness of mountaineering reflect the unforgiving landscape of numbers, formulas and theorems. — Quanta Magazine, "The Subtle Art of the Mathematical Conjecture," 7 May 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'formula.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for formula
formula
noun
English Language Learners Definition of formula
: a plan or method for doing, making, or achieving something
: a list of the ingredients used for making something (such as a medicine or a drink)
mathematics
: a general fact or rule expressed in letters and symbols
See the full definition for formula in the English Language Learners Dictionary
formula
noun
for·mu·la
| \ ˈfȯr-myə-lə
\
\
Kids Definition of formula
1
: a direction giving amounts of the substances for the preparation of something (as a medicine)
2
: an established form or method
a formula for success
3
: a milk mixture or substitute for feeding a baby
4
: a general fact or rule expressed in symbols
We learned a formula for finding the size of an angle.
5
: an expression in symbols giving the makeup of a substance
The chemical formula for water is H2O.
formula
noun
for·mu·la
| \ ˈfȯr-myə-lə
\
\
plural formulas
or formulae\ -ˌlē
, -ˌlī
\
, -ˌlī
\