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 information
The 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 produced
A larger format often means an increase in price.
3a way of organizing, arranging or presenting something
The 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 tensepst and past participleppformatted, present participle formatting) [transitiveT]
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 it
You’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 etc
format in
The documents are all formatted in WordPerfect.
Documents are generally formatted for A4.
3to arrange a book, magazine, or page according to a particular design
The text has not been very well formatted.
—formatting noun [uncountableU]
If we transfer the file, we may lose the formatting.
Originformat1
(1800-1900)FrenchGerman, from Latinformatus, past participle of formare“to form”
ADJECTIVE | VERB + FORMAT | PREPOSITIONADJECTIVE➤large, small大開本;小開本▸➤standard標準樣式➤digital數碼格式➤file文件格式➤DVD, PDF, etc. * DVD 格式、PDF 格式等VERB + FORMAT➤follow, use遵循/採用形式◇All the lectures follow the same basic format.所有的講座都沿襲同一基本形式。➤change改變形式◇For this year, we have decided to change the format of the conference slightly.我們已經決定將今年會議的形式稍作改變。➤support支持格式◇The drive supports the following DVD formats.這個驅動器支持下列 DVD 格式。PREPOSITION➤in a/the format以⋯開本◇The book is now available in a slightly smaller format.這本書現在有略小一些的開本在售。