From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishformatfor‧mat1 /ˈfɔːmæt $ ˈfɔːr-/ ●○○ AWL noun [countable] 1 SYSTEMthe way in which something such as a television show or meeting is organized or arranged The courses were run to a consistent format.2 AVTCNthe size, shape, design etc in which something such as a book or magazine is produced a large-format book for the partially-sighted3 the way in which information is stored on a computer4 the type of equipment that an MP3 file, DVD, or piece of computer software etc is designed to use
Examples from the Corpus
format• Most compact camcorders operate in the 8mm format.• Solicitors may produce their own forms provided that the content and format is the same.• The interview was written in a question and answer format.• The computer system is based on a really basic format of paper dolls.• Detailed conversion from arcade hit game to console format.• This is the pixel format in which remotely-sensed images are stored.• Though the format has had to be changed because of rising costs, the event was nevertheless a great success.• Are we getting bored with the format?• Usher confronts the slender boundary between deep love and intense hate within the format of a highly intellectual mystery.• Please look at the enclosed magazine to see the usual format for articles.formatformat2 AWL verb (formatted, formatting) [transitive] 1 technicalTD to organize the space on a computer disk so that information can be stored on it2 AVTCNto arrange the pages of a book or the information on a computer etc into a particular design better ways to format your spreadsheets —formatting noun [uncountable] —formatted adjective→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
format• Here you can copy files, list files in other directories and even format a floppy disk.• The hard copy formatter may be required to format modules associated with several charge codes at the same time.• Both allow you to format your data to presentation quality and both provide charting facilities.From Longman Business Dictionaryformatfor‧mat1 /ˈfɔːmætˈfɔːr-/ noun [countable]1COMPUTING the way in which information is arranged and stored in a computer file or on a DISK. If the format is not right, a computer will not be able to read the informationThe firm markets software that automatically converts data from one computer format to another.2MARKETINGMANUFACTURINGthe size, shape, and design in which a book or magazine is producedA larger format often means an increase in price.3a way of organizing, arranging or presenting somethingThe stores face competition from other retailers using the megastore format.News stations are searching for a new format that holds viewers and attracts the younger audience that advertisers seek.formatformat2 verb (past tense and past participle formatted, present participle formatting) [transitive]1COMPUTING to put an instruction into a computer in order to prepare a DISK so that information can be stored on it in a way that the computer can read itYou’ll need toformat the disk before you can copy the files across.2to arrange information in a computer file, for example using particular software or a particular type of writing, page size etcformat inThe documents are all formatted in WordPerfect.Documents are generally formatted for A4.3to arrange a book, magazine, or page according to a particular designThe text has not been very well formatted. —formatting noun [uncountable]If we transfer the file, we may lose the formatting.→ See Verb tableOrigin format1 (1800-1900) French German, from Latin formatus, past participle of formare “to form” 