format

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈfɔːmæt/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈfɔːrmæt/, SAMPA: /:fOr.m{t/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: for‧mat

Noun

Singular format

Plural formats

1. (countable) The format of some writing is the way it is organized: the size and colour of the letters, the way it is divided into parts, the kind of words used.

   What format do you want the report written in?

2. (countable) (computing) The format of some writing is the kind of computer program you need to be able to read it.

   I can't read that page you sent me. My computer doesn't read that format.

3. (countable) Something's format is its style, type, organisation, etc.

   The format of the meeting will be quite casual.

Verb

Plain form format

Third-person singular formats

Past tense formatted

Past participle formatted

Present participle formatting

1. (transitive) Someone formats some writing when make it have a particular format.

   How should I format the report?

2. (transitive) (computing) Someone formats a computer disk when they prepare a disk for writing and reading.

   You need to format the disk before you can copy those files onto it.

Related words

• reformat