Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Format \For`mat"\ (f[-o]r`m[.a]" or f[-o]r`m[aum]t"), n. [F. or
   G. Cf. {Formation}.] (Print.)
   The shape and size of a book; hence, its external form.

         The older manuscripts had been written in a much larger
         format than that found convenient for university work.
                                                  --G. H.
                                                  Putnam.

         One might, indeed, protest that the format is a little
         too luxurious.                           --Nature.

Source : WordNet®

format
     n 1: the organization of information according to preset
          specifications (usually for computer processing) [syn: {formatting},
           {data format}, {data formatting}]
     2: the general appearance of a publication
     [also: {formatting}, {formatted}]

format
     v 1: set (printed matter) into a specific format; "Format this
          letter so it can be printed out" [syn: {arrange}]
     2: determine the arrangement of (data) for storage and display
        (in computer science)
     3: divide (a disk) into marked sectors so that it may store
        data; "Please format this disk before entering data!"
        [syn: {initialize}, {initialise}]
     [also: {formatting}, {formatted}]