FORMAT (formatted, formatting)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: formatted    , formatting   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does format mean? 

• FORMAT (noun)
  The noun FORMAT has 2 senses:

1. the organization of information according to preset specifications (usually for computer processing)

2. the general appearance of a publication

  Familiarity information: FORMAT used as a noun is rare.

• FORMAT (verb)
  The verb FORMAT has 3 senses:

1. set (printed matter) into a specific format

2. determine the arrangement of (data) for storage and display (in computer science)

3. divide (a disk) into marked sectors so that it may store data

  Familiarity information: FORMAT used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FORMAT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The organization of information according to preset specifications (usually for computer processing)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

data format; data formatting; format; formatting

Hypernyms ("format" is a kind of...):

info; information (a message received and understood)

Domain category:

computer; computing device; computing machine; data processor; electronic computer; information processing system (a machine for performing calculations automatically)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "format"):

high-level formatting ((computer science) the format for the root directory and the file allocation tables and other basic configurations)

initialisation; initialization; low-level formatting ((computer science) the format of sectors on the surface of a hard disk drive so that the operating system can access them and setting a starting position)

Derivation:

format (divide (a disk) into marked sectors so that it may store data)

format (determine the arrangement of (data) for storage and display (in computer science))

Sense 2

Meaning:

The general appearance of a publication

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("format" is a kind of...):

appearance; visual aspect (outward or visible aspect of a person or thing)

Holonyms ("format" is a part of...):

publication (a copy of a printed work offered for distribution)

Derivation:

format (set (printed matter) into a specific format)

• FORMAT (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they format    ... he / she / it formats   
Past simple: formatted   
Past participle: formatted   
-ing form: formatting   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Set (printed matter) into a specific format

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

arrange; format

Context example:

Format this letter so it can be printed out

Hypernyms (to "format" is one way to...):

change (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "format"):

indent (set in from the margin)

rubricate (furnish with rubrics or regulate by rubrics)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

format (the general appearance of a publication)

formatting (the organization of information according to preset specifications (usually for computer processing))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Determine the arrangement of (data) for storage and display (in computer science)

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "format" is one way to...):

determine; set (fix conclusively or authoritatively)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

format; formatting (the organization of information according to preset specifications (usually for computer processing))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Divide (a disk) into marked sectors so that it may store data

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

format; initialise; initialize

Context example:

Please format this disk before entering data!

Hypernyms (to "format" is one way to...):

carve up; dissever; divide; separate; split; split up (separate into parts or portions)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

format; formatting (the organization of information according to preset specifications (usually for computer processing))

 Context examples 

It includes a file format definition and a network communication protocol.

(DICOM, NCI Thesaurus)

A sequence in FASTA format consists of a single-line description, followed by lines of sequence data.

(FASTA Format, NCI Thesaurus)

A response format that has two possible responses (e.g.,Yes/No, True/False, Agree/Disagree).

(Dichotomous Response Format, NCI Thesaurus)

A process whereby data is changed from one format to another.

(Data Transformation, NCI Thesaurus)

This instrument contains four sections with approximately 40 questions and is administered in an interview format.

(Columbia-Suicidality Severity Rating Scale Baseline Questionnaire, NCI Thesaurus)

The translation of computer data from one format to another.

(Data Conversion, NCI Thesaurus)

A format that does not specify any text properties and does not require pre-established arrangement or organization of data.

(Free Text Format, NCI Thesaurus)

Any device that can hold data in machine-readable format.

(Memory Device Component, NCI Thesaurus)

A data storage disk where the data is stored in a format to be read optically by a laser and receiver.

(Optical Disk Device Component, NCI Thesaurus)

The source text in its original format used as the basis of coding.

(Original Text, NCI Thesaurus)