1A mathematical relationship or rule expressed in symbols.

1. 1.1 A set of chemical symbols showing the elements present in a compound and their relative proportions, and in some cases the structure of the compound.
   See empirical formula, molecular formula, structural formula

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Acetic acid is a clear, colorless liquid with the chemical formula C 2 H 4 O 2.
   • Both cyanides and nitriles have the general formula RCN with a triple bond between the carbon and nitrogen (R-CN).
   • Methane has the chemical formula CH 4 and the methyl group is CH 3.
   • If the formula of a compound was important to the student then the name should be a systematic one constructed strictly according to the IUPAC rules on substitutive nomenclature.
   • The empirical formula of a compound is that which is obtained through laboratory research.
   • While iron oxide in its nonstoichometric form is still represented by the FeO formula, the proportion of its components will deviate from that of the compound in its ideal form.
   • Nitric oxide (sometimes called nitrogen monoxide) has the chemical formula NO.
   • Ethyne, or acetylene, has the chemical formula CH 2 CH 2, with a triple bond between the two carbons.
   • It is an aromatic compound denoted by the chemical formula C 7 H 5 NaO 2 with a molecular weight of 144.11.
   • The actual formula of the ionic compound (and the number of cations and anions) will thus depend on the relative charges of the anion and cation.
   • The structural formulae of the three compounds are shown in Figure 1.
   • The methyl group is the alkyl group with the chemical formula CH 3.
   • For example this would give us the formula NaCl for sodium chloride.
   • If a pure element is present the chemical formula is merely the chemical symbol for the element.
   • Sodium carbonate is a chemical compound which conforms to the general formula Na 2 CO 3.
   • Compound formulae can themselves be elements of larger compounds.
   • Isomers are compounds having the same chemical formula but having different arrangements of atoms.
   • The composition of a mineral is shown by its chemical formula, which states each of the chemical elements present in the mineral as well as the ratios of each element.

2A list of ingredients for or constituents of something.

1. 2.1 A formulation.
   an original coal tar formula that helps prevent dandruff

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Liquid formulas and pills containing such herbs as spirulina and milk thistle, chlorophyll, red clover, echinacea and licorice root are ingested.
   • Stick to powder blushes as well; cream formulas tend to make oily skin look even greasier.
   • Extra-strength formulas are more convenient when you need more than one regular-strength dose to improve your symptoms.
   • The Chinese sometimes include zhu ling (they use the sclerotium rather than the fruiting body) as an ingredient in herbal tonic formulas.
   • This makes it a great ingredient for nighttime fat-loss formulas.
   • Pills, powders, caplets, tablets, tinctures, oils and herb formulas can aid good health, but only if they're supplemental to a good diet.
   • Avoid anything involving animal droppings and beware of expensive herbal creams and vitamin formulas which are more likely to lighten your wallet than increase your hair count.
   • The flower wax enriched formulas help capture moisture and prevent color from slipping and sliding throughout the day.
   • However, one clinic prescribed prepared herbal formulas containing plants of European origin shown in Table 4.
   • Experiment with shampoo timing along with products and formulas specifically designed to purify and calm the scalp and provide serious flake fighting.
   • I was able to find an excellent natural herbal formula by a company in Bangalore, The Himalaya Drug Company.
   • Many yogurts, fermented dairy products, and pill and powder formulas contain live cultures.
   • Additionally, patients were given herbal formulae based on the diagnostic patterns of the disorder.
   • Weight loss products range from pills and powdered formulas to body wraps and other devices.
   • The other herbs in the formula are adjusted and dosed according to signs and symptoms.
   • You can either shave your head, or you can have a professional use a similar formula with a highlighting method.
   • Irritation of the skin or dermatitis can be prevented by using hydrating soap formulas, hand cream, or gloves.
   • Extra strong paint formulas, and wooden fences supported by metal spikes extended the life of exterior fittings in tough New England weather.
   • There are shampoos and formulas available for improving circulation to the scalp, and some people try herbal treatments.
   • In fact, this herb is a common ingredient in herbal formulas designed to support both the adrenal and immune systems.

   Synonyms

   preparation, concoction, mixture, compound, creation, substance
2. 2.2 An infant's liquid food preparation based on cow's milk or soy protein, given as a substitute for breast milk.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • Government protocol stated it was prepared to provide the babies with formula milk for six months.
   • Conversely, if a mother is feeding her baby formula, she will produce less breastmilk.
   • In infants the rash may be mistaken for breast or formula milk.
   • No one consumes more soy per kilogram of body weight than infants who are fed soy-based formula.
   • You may also like to try baby rice, which can be made up using breast or formula milk.
   • However, a paucity of data exists on the long-term effects of infant soy formulas.
   • Soy formulas contain high levels of compounds that mimic oestrogen, which itself is a known immune system suppressor.
   • A favourite is baby rice, which is ground rice with added vitamins and minerals that should be mixed with breast or formula milk or boiled then cooled water.
   • Bottled water is now given to mothers feeding formula milk to their babies because the scheme water contains dangerously high levels of nitrates.
   • Breast milk or formula milk provides all the nutrition that babies need for the first six months.
   • The health benefits of breast feeding outweigh formula milk by so much.
   • If people want to diet until they almost disappear, or smoke cigarettes, or feed their baby on formula milk, or spend every spare minute lying in the blazing sun, that is their prerogative.
   • Contrary to popular belief, neither soy milk nor soy infant formula is traditional in Asia.
   • But as the long nights wore on, and my milk supply began to dwindle as Alice's appetite increased, a friend suggested we introduce the forbidden fruit that is formula milk into her diet.
   • Those follow-ups continue for up to two years, with the mother being supplied formula milk for her baby.
   • Although babies under twelve months should not be given cow's milk without first consulting your doctor, most formula milk is based on cow's milk.
   • Infants develop a predilection for the sugar that is present in both breast and formula milk.
   • Soy-based formulas contain the proteins found in soybeans rather than those found in cow's milk.
   • Campaigners claim breast-feeding is a natural immune booster, is more nutritious than formula milk and leaves babies less vulnerable to allergies and conditions such as asthma.
   • Breast milk alone and standard infant formulas are unable to meet the increased needs.

3A method, statement, or procedure for achieving something, especially reconciling different aims or positions.

4A fixed form of words, especially one used in particular contexts or as a conventional usage.

1. 4.1 A rule or style unintelligently or slavishly followed.
   as modifier one of those formula tunes

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Most rap still follows the initial formula of rhymed couplets that casually mix full rhyme with assonance.
   • The key to a feel-good movie like this succeeding has very little to do with the overall plot, which must follow certain time-honored formulas.
   • A committee of 20 acting as an executive is simply a formula gridlock.
   • Far from providing a break from run of the mill TV, Big Brother follows the same pat formulas.
   • The trouble with films is that we've come to expect them to follow a basic formula, usually involving all loose endings being tied up and a happy ending.
   • It encompasses any kind of writing that doesn't follow formulas and makes readers think and wonder more than answering questions - it allows any subject or plot.
   • And in doing so, we basically have to follow the same formula.
   • The campaign is following the standard formula.
   • I can't give away the ending, since I recommend the movie, but it doesn't exactly follow the formula of lawyer loses first, then wins.
   • The songs rarely follow predictable formulas, falling into one another by means of eerie instrumental transitions.
   • Every episode seemed to be following the same formula, and nobody was an interesting enough character to draw me in week after week.
   • Mostly, though, it follows the romcom formula right through to its series of misunderstandings and foregone conclusions.
   • It circumvents the standard formula cat and mouse mechanics to play a more painful and piercing game of liar versus eager listener.
   • With more money to invest, SEP could follow a tried-and-tested formula.
   • I hated those English classes and being made to follow a set formula.
   • It follows recognizable formulas and trades on traditional stereotypes.
   • Wal-Mart follows a simple formula every time it opens a new store.
   • They say instead of following the genre's formulas, if they want to understand the film they should instead look at the character's mental state and personalities.
   • It's a show about cops and criminals, but it doesn't follow any genre formulas.
   • Up until now, the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series, which is undoubtedly one of the most popular video game franchises to date, has followed a standard formula.

   Synonyms

   model, example, criterion, standard, basis, point of reference, gauge, norm, guide, scale, guideline, yardstick, touchstone, benchmark, ideal, exemplar, paradigm, canon
2. 4.2 A statement that formally enunciates a religious doctrine.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • Divorce takes place when a man pronounces a formula or when a religious judge annuls the marriage at the instigation of the husband or wife.
   • It's not about belief, doctrine, formula, or tradition.
   • Whatever doctrinal formula is chosen to describe the current crisis, therefore, the conclusion is the same.
3. 4.3 A stock epithet, phrase, or line repeated for various effects in literary composition, especially epic poetry.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • The abandonment of old formulas and standard melodic procedures is nowhere more evident than in the new rhymed Offices of the 12th century and later.
   • In such works as the Homeric epics, stock formulas served to maintain the rhythm of the verse and were mnemonically useful for performers and listeners alike.
   • Mostly they were sung by choirs of trained singers who chanted the texts to flexible formulas that were repeated for each verse.

5(usually followed by a number) a classification of race car, especially by engine capacity.