format

Meanings

Plural: formats

Noun

• the organization of information according to preset specifications (usually for computer processing)
• the general appearance of a publication
• The layout of a publication or document.
• The form of presentation of something.
• The type of programming that a radio station broadcasts; such as a certain genre of music, news, sports, talk, etc.
• A file type.

Verb

• set (printed matter) into a specific format
  • "Format this letter so it can be printed out"
• determine the arrangement of (data) for storage and display (in computer science)
• divide (a disk) into marked sectors so that it may store data
  • "Please format this disk before entering data!"
• To create or edit the layout of a document.
• Change a document so it will fit onto a different type of page.
• To prepare a mass storage medium for initial use, erasing any existing data in the process.

Synonyms

arrange, data format, data formatting, formatting, initialise, initialize, reformat