# format

Pronunciation: US say "FAWR-mat" /ˈfɔːɹ.mæt/; UK say "FAW-mat" /ˈfɔː(ɹ).mæt/

## Noun

1. The way in which something is arranged or presented.
   - Simple: The way something is arranged or presented.
   - _The conference adopted a new format with shorter talks and longer breaks._
   - _The game show kept its quiz format but added a new bonus round._
2. The arrangement of text and images in a publication or document.
   - Simple: The way a book, page, or document is laid out.
   - _The newspaper's broadsheet format gives editors more room for large photographs._
   - _Designers adjusted the layout, choosing a format with wide margins and large type._
5. A type of computer file that determines how its data is stored and which programs can read it.
   - Simple: The kind of computer file, shown by how its data is saved and which programs can open it.
   - _The editor exports drawings in several vector formats._
   - _Choosing the right file format keeps the document readable on older systems._
7. The type of programming a radio station broadcasts, such as a particular genre of music, news, sports, or talk.
   - Simple: The kind of programs a radio station plays, such as music, news, or sports.
   - _The owners adopted an all-news format to compete with the local talk station._
   - _A classic-rock format draws a loyal but aging audience._

## Verb

3. To create or adjust the way a document is laid out.
   - Simple: To set up how a document looks on the page.
   - _She formatted the report with clear headings and numbered sections._
   - _Writers often format their manuscripts to match a publisher's guidelines._
4. To prepare a storage device such as a disk or drive for first use, erasing any data already on it.
   - Simple: To wipe a disk or drive clean and get it ready to store new files.
   - _The technician formatted the failing drive and reinstalled the operating system._
   - _You should format the memory card in the camera rather than on a computer._
6. To alter a document so that it fits onto a different type of page.
   - Simple: To change a document so it fits on a different size or shape of page.
   - _He formatted the spreadsheet so it would fit on a single landscape page._
   - _Editors format long articles to fit the narrow columns of the print edition._

## Origin

The word came via French "format" and German "Format" from New Latin "liber fōrmātus" ("book fashioned"), from "fōrmō" ("I shape, fashion").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/format (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).