formation
for·ma·tion/fɔɹˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/noun
formation is spelled F-O-R-M-A-T-I-O-N: 9 letters and 3 syllables (for·ma·tion). It appears 31 times per million words in written English, the 3,052nd most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, formation means “The act of assembling a group or structure” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of formation is formations.
How many letters and syllables are in formation?
| Letters | 9: F-O-R-M-A-T-I-O-N |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 3: for·ma·tion |
| In writing | 31 times per million words; the 3,052nd most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Rhymes with |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); rhymes and same-letter words are computed by PlainSpell from its own word list.
How common is formation?
Formation appears 31 times per million words in written English, the 3,052nd most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce formation?
- UK /fɔːˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/
- US /fɔɹˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/
- Australia /foːˈmæɪʃ(ə)n/
Formation has 3 syllables, split for·ma·tion in writing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-us-formation.oga, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
What rhymes with formation?
The 12 most written words on PlainSpell end in the same sounds as formation from its last stressed vowel (/eɪʃn/):
- information
- preparation
- presentation
- relation
- identification
- observation
- variation
- obligation
- simulation
- notification
- calculation
- reconciliation
Computed by PlainSpell from the pronunciations in the English Wiktionary (dump of September 2, 2026): a rhyme shares every sound from the last stressed vowel to the end; ordered by written frequency (wordfreq 3.1).
Forms of formation
- formations plural
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does formation mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
The act of assembling a group or structure.
Some cloud formation was confirmed and rainfall was observed over some islands.
- 2
Something possessing structure or form.
- 3
The process during which something comes into being and gains its characteristics.
- 4
A grouping of military units or smaller formations under a command, such as a brigade, division, wing, etc.
- 5
A layer of rock of common origin.
- 6
An arrangement of moving troops, ships, or aircraft, such as a wedge, line abreast, or echelon. Often "in formation".
- 7
An arrangement of players designed to facilitate certain plays.
- 8
The process of influencing or guiding a person to a deeper understanding of a particular vocation.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Formation in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does formation come from?
From Middle English formacioun, formation, borrowed from Old French formacion, from Latin fōrmātiō, from fōrmō (“form”, verb); see form as verb. Morphologically form + -ation.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).