formula

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A mathematical or scientific rule written with symbols.

   The teacher wrote the formula for the area of a circle on the board.

2. 2
   noun

   A plan or method that reliably produces a result.

   There is no magic formula for success.

3. 3
   noun

   A set of symbols showing the elements in a chemical compound.

   H₂O is the formula for water.

4. 4
   noun

   A milk-based drink given to babies instead of breast milk.

   They switched to a different formula and the baby fed more happily.

Learned borrowing from Latin fōrmula (“a small pattern or mold, form, rule, principle, method, formula”), diminutive of forma (“a form”). See form.

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