1. to express in precise form; state definitely or systematically; to formulate a theory. 2. to devise or develop, as a method or system. 3. to reduce to or express in a formula. for`mu•la′tion, n. for′mu•la`tor, n. Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc.