Definition of formula | Collins English Dictionary

formula (ˈfɔːmjʊlə)

an established form or set of words, as used in religious ceremonies, legal proceedings, etc
mathematics physics a general relationship, principle, or rule stated, often as an equation, in the form of symbols
chemistry a representation of molecules, radicals, ions, etc, expressed in the symbols of the atoms of their constituent elements See molecular formula , empirical formula , structural formula
1. a method, pattern, or rule for doing or producing something, often one proved to be successful
2. ((as modifier) ⇒ formula fiction
1. a prescription for making up a medicine, baby's food, etc
2. a substance prepared according to such a prescription
motor racing the specific category in which a particular type of car competes, judged according to engine size, weight, and fuel capacity

formulaic (ˌfɔːmjʊˈleɪɪk Pronunciation for formulaic

) adjective

C17: from Latin: diminutive of formaform

View thesaurus entry

= form of words, code, phrase, formulary, set expression

British English: formula A formula is a plan that is made as a way of dealing with a problem....this simple formula for a long and happy life.ˈfɔːmjʊlə NOUN ...this simple formula for a long and happy life.
Spanish: fórmula nf
French: formule nf
German: Formel nf
Chinese: 公式 n
Arabic: صَيْغَة n
Portuguese: fórmula nf
Russian: формула nf
Croatian: formula nf
Czech: vzorec nm
Danish: formular nutr
Dutch: formule n
Finnish: kaava n
Greek: μαθηματικός τύπος nm
Italian: formula nf
Japanese: 公式 n
Korean: 공식 n
Norwegian: formel nm
Polish: formuła nf
Brazilian Portuguese: fórmula nf
European Spanish: fórmula nf
Swedish: formel nutr
Thai: สูตร n
Turkish: formül n
Vietnamese: công thức n

She wrote no more about the carrying out of the formula than that it had taken place.
Hilton, John Buxton, The Innocents at Home (A Superintendent Kenworthy novel) (1986)
Using the mathematical formula Prelec has devised, truthful answers automatically produce higher scores.
New Scientist (2004)
It may have been that the federal government did not want to deviate from its per capita funding formula with the premiers in attendance.
Globe and Mail (2003)
The council's record in planning is not especially impressive, as the recent row over changing the formula for funding teaching showed.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
In alcohol I had found a chemical formula which made the self-abandonment which I had been practising spectacularly more efficient.
Gwyneth Lewis, SUNBATHING IN THE RAIN (2002)