formation

Everyday

1. Formation is the way something is made or forms over time. tree →
2. A formation is a pattern or shape that people, planes, birds or players are arranged in. tree →
3. A rock formation is a natural shape or group of rocks. tree →
4. (formal) The formation of a club or group is when it is set up. tree →

In the lessons

In science, pupils learn about the formation of clouds, rocks, ice and caves. In PE and sport, teams line up in a formation such as 4-4-2. Geese fly in a V formation; aircraft fly in formation at air shows. Phrases: in formation, rock formation, cloud formation, the formation of.

Examples

• We learned about the formation of rain clouds. tree →
• The geese flew south in a V formation. tree →
• The team played in a 4-4-2 formation. tree →
• The cave has amazing rock formations. tree →
• The planes flew in formation over the crowd. tree →
• Stalactites take a very long time in their formation. tree →
• The pupils stood in a formation of 5 rows of 6, so there were 30 of them. tree →
• The formation of the school council was announced in assembly. (formal) tree →

Note

Can be countable (a formation, two formations) or uncountable (the process of forming). The verb is «form». In maths, «a formation of r rows and c columns» means r × c people.

In Jewish tradition

In Sefer Yetzirah it means the shaping of the world by God, as in "Book of Formation," the title translating Sefer Yetzirah.

Interpretation. The book teaches that God shaped creation through the ten Sefirot and the twenty-two letters, which are called the foundation of all things.

Examples

• The End of the "Book of Formation." (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• The End of the '' Booh of Formation.'' (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• 18) Meaning outlets, outgates of the creative power, formations. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →

Note

Can be countable (a formation, two formations) or uncountable (the process of forming). The verb is «form». In maths, «a formation of r rows and c columns» means r × c people.