Definition of formalize

The word "formalize" originated in the late 16th century from the Latin word "formalis," which means "conforming to a form." The French verb "formaliser" was coined in the 17th century, meaning "to make conform to a form." The French verb, in turn, influenced the English language, and "formalize" made its first appearance in English in the mid-19th century. Initially, the term "formalize" was used primarily in legal and administrative contexts, where it denoted the act of codifying rules, procedures, or agreements in a formally structured way. With time, its meaning evolved, and today it has a broader application, referring to any process that involves creating a specific structure or format for something, whether it be a concept, a practice, or a system.