for·mat
[fawr-mat]
noun, verb, -mat·ted, -mat·ting.

noun
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.

verb (used with object)
5. to plan or provide a format for: to format the annual telethon.

6. Computers .
     a. to set  the format of (input or output): Some word-processing programs format output in a variety of ways.
     b. to prepare (a disk) for writing and reading.

verb (used without object)
7. to devise a format.