Other

format

Pronunciation: /ˈfɔːmat/

Translate format | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of format

noun

the way in which something is arranged or set out:the conventional format of TV situation comedies
the shape, size, and presentation of a book or periodical: the format is A4 on newsprint (as modifier, in combination) large-format paperbacks
the medium in which a sound recording is made available:he has just re-issued the collection in CD format
Computing a defined structure for the processing, storage, or display of data:a data file in binary format

verb (formats, formatting, formatted)

[with object]

(especially in computing) arrange or put into a format: how to format a document
prepare (a storage medium) to receive data: you will be able to format a disk

Origin:

mid 19th century: via French and German from Latin formatus (liber) 'shaped (book)', past participle of formare 'to form'

Spelling rule

If a verb ends with a single vowel plus a consonant, and the stress is at the end of the word (as in refer), double the last letter when adding -ing or -ed: (formats, formatting, formatted).

format in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of format in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

More results for format

Subscriber login

Library card login