noun, verb, -mat⋅ted, -mat⋅ting.| 1. | the shape and size of a book as determined by the number of times the original sheet has been folded to form the leaves. Compare duodecimo, folio (def. 2), octavo, quarto. |
| 2. | the general physical appearance of a book, magazine, or newspaper, such as the typeface, binding, quality of paper, margins, etc. |
| 3. | the organization, plan, style, or type of something: The format of the show allowed for topical and controversial gags. |
| 4. | Computers. the arrangement of data for computer input or output, such as the number and size of fields in a record or the spacing and punctuation of information in a report. |
| 5. | to plan or provide a format for: to format the annual telethon. |
| 6. | Computers.
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| 7. | to devise a format. |
