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general::
noun making/developing sth ADJ. policy the top civil servants who are responsible for policy formation VERB + FORMATION lead to, result in This dispute led to the formation of a new breakaway group. arrangement/group/pattern ADJ. close, tight | battle The troops advanced in battle formation. | family, household, social changing patterns of marriage and family formation FORMATION + NOUN dancing, flying PREP. in a … ~ The men were grouped in a close formation. | in ~ a squadron of planes flying in formation sth that has been formed ADJ. cloud, geological, rock | military, political
Oxford Collocations Dictionary