formalize

[ fawr-muh-lahyz ]
/ ˈfɔr məˌlaɪz /

verb (used with object), for·mal·ized, for·mal·iz·ing.

to make formal, especially for the sake of official or authorized acceptance: to formalize an understanding by drawing up a legal contract.
to give a definite form or shape to.
to state or restate (the rules or implied rules of a grammar or the like) in symbolic form.
Also especially British, for·mal·ise.

Origin of formalize

First recorded in 1590–1600; formal1 + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM formalize

for·mal·i·za·tion, noun for·mal·iz·er, noun o·ver·for·mal·ize, verb, o·ver·for·mal·ized, o·ver·for·mal·iz·ing. un·for·mal·ized, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for formalise

formalize

formalise

/ (ˈfɔːməˌlaɪz) /

verb

to be or make formal
(tr) to make official or valid
(tr) to give a definite shape or form to
logic to extract the logical form of (an expression), to express in the symbols of some formal system

Derived forms of formalize

formalization or formalisation, noun formalizer or formaliser, noun