F-GIS Glossary,

This glossary is a sub-set of one developed by the Urban and Regional Information
Systems Association (URISA)

Feature
This refers to natural and man-made geographic features represented by points/symbols, lines, and areas on a map. It may also be an object in a geographic or spatial database with a distinct set of characteristics. Alternatively, it is a defined aspect of the earth's surface that is not further subdivided. For example, a road segment, manhole, building, or an area designated as having a uniform soil type.

File
In computing, a collection or set of related digital data stored on a computer disk and accessed / retrieved according to an assigned unique name. A collection of related computer records grouped under a common heading and containing data according to specific units.

Format
Format refers to the physical structure of an item. It is the order in which information is prepared and presented.

1. The arrangement of data for storage or display. A file format is the specific design of how information is organized in a collection or set of related digital data.
2. To divide (a disk) into marked sectors so that it may store data.
3. To determine the arrangement of (data) for storage or display.