Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

formative

 adjective
     
Related topics: Sociology
for‧ma‧tive [only before noun]
SS having an important influence on the way someone or something develops
formative years/period/stages etc (=the period when someone's character develops)
He exposed his children to music throughout their formative years.
formative influence/effect etc
International politics were a formative influence on the party.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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