formality

1. N-COUNT If you say that an action or procedure is just a formality, you mean that it is done only because it is normally done, and that it will not have any real effect on the situation. 走形式

Some contracts are a mere formality. 有些合同純屬走形式。

2. N-COUNT Formalities are formal actions or procedures that are carried out as part of a particular activity or event. 正規(guī)程序

They are whisked through the immigration and customs formalities in a matter of minutes. 他們?cè)诙潭痰膸追昼妰?nèi)就很快走完了移民與海關(guān)手續(xù)。

3. →see also formal