formations
Patterns taking shape
Formations is the plural of formation, referring to arrangements or configurations that have taken shape.
Military units move in formations—organized patterns that serve tactical purposes: The troops marched in tight formations.
Geological formations are rock structures shaped over time: limestone formations in the cave.
The word covers anything from cloud formations to dance formations to the formation of new governments.
Animals gathered together
- skeinCoiled length of thread
- murmurationStarlings in coordinated flight
- squadronMilitary aviation unit
- chevronV-shaped line or symbol
echelon · flight · swarm · migration · flyover · airshow · aerobatic · wingman
Parallel geological layers
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- rockSolid earthen material
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- basaltFine-grained volcanic stone
granite · sandstone · shale · outcrop · bedrock · fossil · mineral · crystal
Designing performance movement sequences
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- troupeTraveling group of performers
- lineContinuous mark or queue
circle · square · configuration · arrangement · step · movement · position · ballet
Mid-sized military unit
- regimentColonel-led military unit
- squadronMilitary aviation unit
- platoonSmall infantry formation
- brigadeLarge military unit
division · column · phalanx · flank · rank · file · wedge · deployment
Ordered list of participants
- offenseViolation or umbrage
- defenseProtection against harm
- scrimmagePractice match with contact
- set-piecePreplanned impressive sequence
huddle · spread · shotgun · zone · diamond · box · alignment · positioning
flock
Animals gathered together
- skeinCoiled length of thread
- murmurationStarlings in coordinated flight
- squadronMilitary aviation unit
chevron · echelon · flight · swarm · migration · flyover · airshow · aerobatic · wingman · pattern
strata
Parallel geological layers
basalt · granite · sandstone · shale · outcrop · bedrock · fossil · mineral · crystal · geode
choreography
Designing performance movement sequences
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- troupeTraveling group of performers
line · circle · square · configuration · arrangement · step · movement · position · ballet · folk
battalion
Mid-sized military unit
brigade · division · column · phalanx · flank · rank · file · wedge · deployment · maneuver
lineup
Ordered list of participants
set-piece · huddle · spread · shotgun · zone · diamond · box · alignment · positioning · play
arch
Curved spanning structure
buttress · spire · turret · arcade · colonnade · portico · facade · structure · masonry · stonework
cumulus
Dense, billowing cloud type
cumulonimbus · anvil · thunderhead · billow · wisp · layer · bank · ceiling · weather · atmospheric
- footballfootball, touchdown, field goal, quarterback, end zone
- cavescave, cavern, caves, caverns, grotto
- geologybedrock, fault lines, faults, rock, basalt
- mineralsquartz, marble, granite, limestone, sandstone
- Soccer Termsgoals, scoring, shots, shooting, striker
- dance movespirouette, shimmy, waltz, tango, cha-cha
formationsdisarray
Lack of order
disorder · scattering · chaos · randomness · disorganization
formationsdissolution
Breaking up completely
disintegration · breakdown · destruction · dispersals · decomposition
- ice formationsSolidified water taking shape
- in formationOrganized spatial arrangement
- cave formationsMineral structures in caverns
- military formationsOrganized troop arrangements
- cloud formationIdentifiable sky pattern
- rock formationNatural stone arrangement