format
UK[ˈfɔːmæt]US[ˈfɔːrmæt]
n
The way in which something is arranged or organized, especially the size, shape, and general appearance of a book, magazine, or document.
n
The general arrangement, plan, or style of something such as a television show or a meeting.
v
To arrange or organize something, especially text or data, in a particular way, usually for a computer.
v
To prepare a computer disk so that it can store information in a particular way.
Morpheme Breakdown
form
at
form
shape
at
suffix
Etymology
The word 'format' entered English in the mid-19th century from French 'format', which itself originated from modern Latin 'formatus', meaning 'formed'. This Latin term is the past participle of 'formare', the verb 'to form or shape', which is derived from 'forma' (shape, mold). The core concept of giving a physical shape or arrangement is preserved from its Latin ancestor. Initially used in printing to describe the size and shape of a book, its meaning expanded in the 20th century to encompass the arrangement of data, media, and events, reflecting the modern need to describe structured organization beyond physical objects.
Analysis
Structure: form (shape) + at (suffix)
- form: From Latin 'forma', meaning shape, figure, appearance, or mold. It functions as the core root conveying the concept of shape or structure.
- at: A suffix derived from Latin past participle endings, often used in English to form nouns from verbs (e.g., 'debat', 'combat') or to indicate a resulting state or product. In 'format', it helps form a noun denoting the result of shaping.
Examples
The document should be saved in a PDF format.
The conference will follow a workshop format to encourage participation.
You need to format the new hard drive before you can use it.