1. The organization of information according to preset specifications (usually for computer processing)
   "Proper formatting of the document made it easier to read and understand";
   - format, data format, data formatting

1. Determine the arrangement of (data) for storage and display (in computer science)
   "The programmer formatted the data for optimal storage efficiency"
    
2. Put or arrange a document into a specific format
   "Format this letter so it can be printed out";
   - arrange
    
3. Divide (a disk) into marked sectors so that it may store data
   "Please format this disk before entering data!";
   - initialize, initialise [Brit]

Derived forms: formattings

Type of: carve up, change, determine, dissever [rare], divide, gen [Brit, informal], info [informal], information, separate, set, split, split up

Encyclopedia: Formatting