The kanji 式 primarily conveys the meanings of "ceremony," "formula," "style," "method," or "type." It indicates a set of procedures, a formal way of doing something, or a pattern. It often relates to established practices or a specific format.

・On-yomi (音読み): シキ (shiki) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): None

⚫︎ 入学式 Translation: Entrance ceremony ⚫︎ 公式 Translation: Official; Formal; Formula ⚫︎ 形式 Translation: Form; Format; Style

The kanji 式 is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字, けいせいもじ). The phonetic component is 弋 (shiki), which originally represented a type of arrow or hook. The semantic component is likely related to the idea of a fixed or established pattern. Thus, the kanji's formation reflects the idea of something being "set" or "arranged" in a particular manner, linking it to the meanings of ceremony, formula, and style.