- [uncountable]
the action of forming something; the process of being formed 组成；形成 the formation of a new government 组成新政府 evidence of recent star formation in the galaxy 银河系新恒星形成的证据
Extra ExamplesTopics Geographyb2This dispute led to the formation of a new breakaway group. 这次争论使一部份人另立门户，成立了一个新团体。 the top civil servants who are responsible for policy formation 负责制订政策的高级公务员
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- policy
- lead to
- result in
- prevent
- …
- [countable]
a thing that has been formed, especially in a particular place or in a particular way 组成物；形成物 Massive rock formations rise abruptly some 1 500 feet above the canyon floor. 巨大的岩层突然高出峡谷底部约1 500英尺。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- cloud
- geological
- rock
- …
- [uncountable, countable]
a particular arrangement or pattern 编队；队形 formation flying 编队飞行 - in formation
aircraft flying in formation 编队飞行的飞机 The team usually plays in a 4-4-2 formation. 这支球队比赛通常排出的是 4–4–2 阵形。
Extra ExamplesThe troops advanced in battle formation. 部队以战斗队形前进。 changing patterns of marriage and family formation 婚姻和家庭模式的改变
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- close
- tight
- battle
- …
- flying
- in a… formation
- in formation
Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin formatio(n-), from formare ‘to form’, based on Latin forma ‘a mould or form’.