formative period
noun phraseUK /ˈfɔː.mə.tɪv ˈpɪə.ri.əd/
US /ˈfɔːr.mə.tɪv ˈpɪr.i.əd/
A formative period is a time when something is growing and changing a lot.
The first three years of a child's life are a formative period for language.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. In geology, a span of time when rock layers were first being formed.
Scientists studied the formative period of the ancient mountains.
3. In education, the early school years when basic skills are built.
Reading is a key focus during the formative period of primary school.
4. A time when a group or idea takes its first shape.
The club's formative period was full of small meetings in a garage.