formula

Word family

Related topics: Maths, Chemistry, Babies, Hard science

for·mu·la /ˈfɔːmjələ $ ˈfɔːr-/ S3 W3 AWL noun (plural formulas or formulae /-liː/)

1 [singular]WAY/METHOD a method or set of principles that you use to solve a problem or to make sure that something is successful 准则；方案

We’re still searching for a peace formula.

我们仍在寻找和平方案。

formula for

a formula for the withdrawal of US forces from the area

美军从该地区撤退的方案

There is no magic formula (=a method that is certain to be successful) that will transform sorrow into happiness.

没有妙方可以化悲为喜。

With viewing figures up a million, the programme has a winning formula.

收视人数增加了一百万，这个节目的确拥有吸引观众的法宝。

2 [countableC]HM a series of numbers or letters that represent a mathematical or scientific rule 公式；方程式；分子式

the formula for calculating distance

计算距离的公式

Sugar is represented by the simple formula CHO.

糖以简单的分子式CHO表示。

3 [countableC]HC a list of the substances used to make a medicine, fuel, drink etc, showing the amounts of each substance that should be used 〔药品、燃料、饮料等的〕配方

Our products are handmade from traditional formulas.

我们的产品采用传统配方，手工制作。

4 Formula One/Two/Three etc TTCDSOa type of car racing, in which the different types are based on the size of the cars’ engines 〔赛车的〕一级/二级/三级方程式等

a Formula One car

一级方程式赛车

Examples from the Corpus

Formula One/Two/Three etc• And I don't think many people appreciate the physical demands of actually driving a Formula One car, especially through corners.• She knew that in between Formula One obligations he had, amazingly, managed to keep his construction interests afloat.• It's almost embarrassing the way his Oxfordshire-based team have dominated Formula One this season.• Villeneuve, who had collided with Ralf Schumacher, gets paid £10MILLION for risking life and limb in Formula One.• Like its Formula Two counterpart it was removed from the international calendar at the end of 1984.• If the Formula One circus is so bothered about avoiding accidents, why not run the entire race behind the safety car?

5. [uncountableU]DHB a type of liquid food for babies that is similar to a woman’s breast milk 〔喂养婴儿的〕配方奶

6 [countableC]SAYING a fixed and familiar series of words that seems meaningless or insincere 俗套话；惯用语句

a speech full of the usual formulas and clichés

充斥着套话和陈词滥调的演说

Examples from the Corpus

formula• The 3,6, 9, formula makes enough for two 7-inch tins.• It was a formula for catastrophe.• The second factor accounting for the regional and central city-suburban shifts was the character of the entitlement formula.• It was first investigated in the late nineteenth century, and by 1932 its formula had been deduced.• The old formula distinguishing the motive to instruct or to amuse is of no service.• Coca-Cola's patented formula• The unions' move leaves unchanged the central issues of basic pay and a pay formula.• Juanita's plan is based on the proven formula of investing money to make money.• This tabloid formula has hooked 70 percent of the Czech audience.• This formula takes into account the majority of solutes present in normal serum.• Tobin's speech was full of the usual formulas and clichés.

winning formula• It was wrong to change a winning formula during the most important rugby game ever played.• But these are minor misdemeanours when compared to something major like changing a winning formula.• But we eventually worked out a winning formula.• Youngsters from special schools in Tewkesbury are finding out what's behind his winning formula.

From Longman Business Dictionary