FORMULA (formulae)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected form: formulae   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does formula mean? 

• FORMULA (noun)
  The noun FORMULA has 7 senses:

1. a group of symbols that make a mathematical statement

2. directions for making something

3. a conventionalized statement expressing some fundamental principle

4. a representation of a substance using symbols for its constituent elements

5. something regarded as a normative example

6. a liquid food for infants

7. (mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems

  Familiarity information: FORMULA used as a noun is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FORMULA (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A group of symbols that make a mathematical statement

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

expression; formula

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

mathematical statement (a statement of a mathematical relation)

Domain category:

math; mathematics; maths (a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement)

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

sentential function (formal expression containing variables; becomes a sentence when variables are replaced by constants)

primitive (a mathematical expression from which another expression is derived)

exponential expression (a mathematical expression consisting of a constant (especially e) raised to some power)

Derivation:

formularize (express as a formula)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Directions for making something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

formula; recipe

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

direction; instruction (a message describing how something is to be done)

Derivation:

formulate (prepare according to a formula)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A conventionalized statement expressing some fundamental principle

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

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

statement (a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc)

Derivation:

formularize (express as a formula)

formulate (come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A representation of a substance using symbols for its constituent elements

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

chemical formula; formula

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

statement (a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc)

Meronyms (parts of "formula"):

chemical notation (a notation used by chemists to express technical facts in chemistry)

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

molecular formula (a chemical formula based on analysis and molecular weight)

empirical formula (a chemical formula showing the ratio of elements in a compound rather than the total number of atoms)

Derivation:

formularize (express as a formula)

formulary (of or relating to or of the nature of a formula)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Something regarded as a normative example

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

convention; formula; normal; pattern; rule

Context example:

his formula for impressing visitors

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

practice (knowledge of how something is usually done)

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

mores ((sociology) the conventions that embody the fundamental values of a group)

code of behavior; code of conduct (a set of conventional principles and expectations that are considered binding on any person who is a member of a particular group)

universal (a behavioral convention or pattern characteristic of all members of a particular culture or of all human beings)

Derivation:

formularize (express as a formula)

Sense 6

Meaning:

A liquid food for infants

Classified under:

Nouns denoting foods and drinks

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

milk (any of several nutritive milklike liquids)

Sense 7

Meaning:

(mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

formula; rule

Context example:

he gave us a general formula for attacking polynomials

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

procedure; process (a particular course of action intended to achieve a result)

Domain category:

math; mathematics; maths (a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement)

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

metarule (a rule that describes how other rules should be used (as in AI))

algorithm; algorithmic program; algorithmic rule (a precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some problem)

heuristic; heuristic program; heuristic rule (a commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem)

recursion ((mathematics) an expression such that each term is generated by repeating a particular mathematical operation)

Derivation:

formularize (express as a formula)

formulate (prepare according to a formula)

 Context examples 

This is calculated by a mathematical formula that takes into account the R value, K value, angle and maximum amplitude of clot formation.

(Coagulation Index Measurement, NCI Thesaurus)

C. sakazakii is pathogenic, being the causative agent of meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis, and is associated with tainted powdered infant formulas.

(Cronobacter sakazakii, NCI Thesaurus)

The formula to calculate body surface area as described by D and EF DuBois.

(Dubois and Dubois Body Surface Area Formula, NCI Thesaurus)

I think he was swearing, but am not certain; however, he was pronouncing some formula which prevented him from replying to me directly.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The formula to calculate body surface area as described by E Boyd.

(Boyd Body Surface Area Formula, NCI Thesaurus)

A polyatomic ion whose formula is HCO3-.

(Bicarbonate Ion, NCI Thesaurus)

Body surface area (BSA) can be calculated by mathematical formula or from a chart that relates height to weight.

(Body Surface Area, NCI Thesaurus)

The extract's chemical profile, their respective concentrations and the mechanism of action of Essiac are largely unknown due to the proprietary nature of the formula and product inconsistency.

(Essiac, NCI Thesaurus)

Total folate activity which adjusts for the lower bioavailability of folate in food compared to folic acid using an accepted conversion formula.

(Folate In Dietary Folate Equivalents, NCI Thesaurus/CRCH)

There are special formulas for newborns.

(Phenylketonuria, NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)