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formulation

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Etymology and origin of the English word formulation

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1848
Ultimate origin
Latin fōrma

Pronunciation

  • UK: /ˌfɔːmjəˈleɪʃ(ə)n/, /ˌfɔːmjʊˈleɪʃ(ə)n/[1]
  • US: /ˌfɔːrmjʊˈleɪʃ(ə)n/, /ˌfɔːrmjəˈleɪʃ(ə)n/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from English formulate + -ation, as the noun of action of the verb.[2][3] Formulate, to express in a formula, is recorded from 1837 according to Etymonline, 1855 according to Merriam-Webster and 1860 according to the OED,[3][4][2] and is formed from formula and -ate.[3][2][4] Formula is a Latin word for a form, rule or method, literally a small form, the diminutive of Latin fōrma (“form”).[5][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The action of formulating, of setting something out in a definite and systematic statement: 1848 in Etymonline,[3] about 1873 in Merriam-Webster,[4] and 1876 in the OED, which quotes a book on Grimm's Law.[2]

Semantic evolution

The verb formulate won out over the rival coinages formulize (1842) and formularize (1845).[3] Its base formula had by then gained senses in medicine (a prescription, 1706), mathematics (1796) and chemistry (1840s),[5][3] and the noun formulation followed it: from 1958 it also meant a material or mixture made up according to a set formula,[2] and in pharmacy a medicine prepared in a particular form, such as a tablet or an ointment.[6]

Timeline

  • 1848 – the act of formulating.[3]
  • c. 1873 – first date in Merriam-Webster.[4]
  • 1876 – first quotation in the OED.[2]
  • 1958 – a mixture made up according to a formula.[2]

Meanings

Noun

  1. The act or process of formulating, or working out and expressing something: the formulation of a new policy.[6][4][2]
  2. The result of formulating; the way something is expressed: a clearer formulation of the rule.[4]
  3. A mixture or substance prepared according to a formula: a new formulation of the paint.[6][4][2]
  4. A medicine prepared in a particular form, such as a tablet or an ointment.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  5. ^ a b Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  6. ^ a b c d Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
Cite this entry

“Formulation.” Etymologically, 31 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/formulation. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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