the act or process of forming or the state of being formed

the formation of ice.

the manner in which a thing is formed; disposition of parts; formal structure or arrangement.

Military .

a particular disposition of troops, as in columns, squares, etc.

any required assembling of the soldiers of a unit.

Geology .

a body of rocks classed as a stratigraphic unit for geologic mapping. Compare member ( def. 8 ) .

the process of depositing rock or mineral of a particular composition or origin.

noun

accumulation , architecture , arrangement , compilation , configuration , constitution , construction , creation , crystallization , deposit , design , development , dispersal , disposition , embodiment , evolution , fabrication , figure , forming , generation , genesis , grouping , induction , makeup , manufacture , order , organization , pattern , production , rank , structure , synthesis , categorization , classification , deployment , disposal , distribution , layout , lineup , placement , sequence , composition , form , parade , procession , spread