Look up formation in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Formation may refer to:

Linguistics

• Back-formation, the process of creating a new lexeme by removing or affixes
• Word formation, the creation of a new word by adding affixes

Mathematics and science

• Cave formation or speleothem, a secondary mineral deposit formed in a cave
• Class formation, a topological group acting on a module satisfying certain conditions
• Formation (group theory), a class of groups that is closed under some operations
• Formation constant, an equilibrium constant for the formation of a complex in solution
• Formation enthalpy, standard heat of formation of a compound
• Formation (group theory), a class of groups
• Formation (geology), a formally named rock stratum or geological unit
• Formation of rocks, how rocks are formed
• Formation and evolution of the Solar System, history of the Solar System
• Rock formation, an isolated, scenic, or spectacular surface rock outcrop
• Vegetation formation, a concept used to classify vegetation communities

Military

• Formation flying, the disciplined flight of two or more aircraft under the command of a flight leader
• Formation (military), a high-level military organization
• Tactical formation, the arrangement or deployment of moving military forces
• Formation, an element in order of battle as a formal assembly of military personnel usually to receive the course of actions (operation order) or get deployed to operations
  • Formation may be tactical or ceremonial

Music

• Formation Records, a record label headed by DJ SS
• "Formation" (song), a song by American singer Beyoncé on her 2016 album Lemonade
• The Formation World Tour, concert tour by Beyoncé for her album Lemonade

Religion

• Formations or saṅkhāra, an important Buddhist concept
• Formation in the Catholic Church, the personal preparation that the Catholic Church offers to people with a defined mission

Sports

• Formation (association football), how team players are positioned on the pitch
• Formation (American football), the positions in which players line up before the start of a down
• Formation (bandy), how the players are positioned on the rink
• Formation dance, a style of ballroom dancing
• Formation finish, a staged motor-race finish in which multiple vehicles of the same team cross the finish line together

Writing

• Formation (book), a bildungsroman by Brad Mehldau

Other

• Contract formation in law; an offer, acceptance, consideration, and a mutual intent to be bound
• Formation 8, an American venture capital firm in San Francisco, California
• Formation level, the native material underneath a constructed road, pavement or railway
• Formation of a coalition government, led by a formateur
• Formation water, water that is produced as a byproduct during oil and gas production
• Government formation in a parliamentary system
• Formations, imprint of Ohio State University Press