Arraying and Formation

(p.pr.&vb.n.) of Array.

noun

• An arrangement of people or things acting as a unit.
  • usage: "a defensive formation"; "a formation of planes"
• The act of fabricating something in a particular shape.
  • synonyms: shaping
• The act of forming or establishing something.
  • usage: "the constitution of a PTA group last year"; "it was the establishment of his reputation"; "he still remembers the organization of the club"
  • synonyms: constitution, establishment, organization, organisation
• Geology) the geological features of the earth.
  • synonyms: geological formation
• A particular spatial arrangement.
• Natural process that causes something to form.
  • usage: "the formation of gas in the intestine"; "the formation of crystals"; "the formation of pseudopods"
• Creation by mental activity.
  • usage: "the formation of sentences"; "the formation of memories"

• (n.) The act of giving form or shape to anything; a forming; a shaping.
• (n.) The manner in which a thing is formed; structure; construction; conformation; form; as, the peculiar formation of the heart.
• (n.) The arrangement of a body of troops, as in a square, column, etc.
• (n.) A substance formed or deposited.
• (n.) Mineral deposits and rock masses designated with reference to their origin; as, the siliceous formation about geysers; alluvial formations; marine formations.
• (n.) A group of beds of the same age or period; as, the Eocene formation.

(DoD, NATO) An ordered arrangement of two or more ships, units, or aircraft proceeding together under a commander.
(DoD, NATO) An ordered arrangement of troops and/or vehicles for a specific purpose.