for·mal·ize
ˈfȯr-mə-ˌlīz 
formalized; formalizing
1
: to give a certain or definite form to : shape
2
a
: to make formal
b
: to give formal status or approval to
for·ma·li·za·tion
variants
also British formalisation
ˌ⸗mələ̇ˈzāshən,
-ˌlīˈz-
plural -s
: an act of formalizing or the state of being formalized compare axiomatization
Examples of formalize in a Sentence
Verb
The company has formalized its hiring practices.
Congress formalized the policy by making it law.
Recent Examples on the Web
ArsTechnica,
2 July 2026
The gesture signals an order for complete silence, a search technique that emerged during the 1985 Mexico City earthquake and was later formalized by the Topos.
—
Fernanda Pesce,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
The document formalizing the name change was signed by the center’s general counsel, Elliot Berke.
—
Janay Kingsberry,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2026
The challenge is that most organizations never formalize that instinct into a scalable hiring strategy.
—
Crystal Gilmore,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for formalize
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Verb
If formalized, the rule would make political priorities the prime determinant of what science gets funded and sideline the opinions of scientific experts.
—
ArsTechnica,
2 July 2026
The gesture signals an order for complete silence, a search technique that emerged during the 1985 Mexico City earthquake and was later formalized by the Topos.
—
Fernanda Pesce,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
The document formalizing the name change was signed by the center’s general counsel, Elliot Berke.
—
Janay Kingsberry,
The Atlantic,
1 July 2026
The challenge is that most organizations never formalize that instinct into a scalable hiring strategy.
—
Crystal Gilmore,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for formalize
Cite this Entry
“Formalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formalize. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
formalize
verb
for·mal·ize
ˈfȯr-mə-ˌlīz
formalized; formalizing
1
: to make formal
2
: to give formal rank or approval to
formalizer
noun
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