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# formation

noun (a formation, formations; formation — uncountable)

«formation» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Formation is the way something is made or forms over time. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formation/#m1)
2. A formation is a pattern or shape that people, planes, birds or players are arranged in. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formation/#m2)
3. A rock formation is a natural shape or group of rocks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formation/#m3)
4. (formal) The formation of a club or group is when it is set up. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formation/#m4)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formation/#x1)
- The geese flew south in a V formation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formation/#x2)
- The team played in a 4-4-2 formation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formation/#x3)
- The cave has amazing rock formations. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formation/#x4)
- The planes flew in formation over the crowd. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formation/#x5)
- Stalactites take a very long time in their formation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formation/#x6)
- The pupils stood in a formation of 5 rows of 6, so there were 30 of them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formation/#x7)
- The formation of the school council was announced in assembly. (formal) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formation/#x8)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/formation/#x1)
- The End of the '' Booh of Formation.'' (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/formation/#x2)
- 18) Meaning outlets, outgates of the creative power, formations. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/formation/#x3)

### 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.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «formation» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/formation/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«formation» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/formation.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «formation» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/formation/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«formation» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/formation.html) on Mova free.