configure

verb

con·​fig·​ure kən-ˈfi-gyər 

 especially British  -ˈfi-gə

configured; configuring

transitive verb

: to set up for operation especially in a particular way

a fighter plane configured for the Malaysian air force

Examples of configure in a Sentence

The instructions tell you how to configure the kit correctly.

The plane is configured for military use.

Recent Examples on the Web

Specialized Technologies, Equipment And Engineering Solutions Project Cargo demands the use of highly specialized equipment, selected and configured based on detailed engineering assessments. —Umberto Cavallaro, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

More recently, the locale has added a small fleet of standalone villas that can be configured as individual suites or junior suites as required, giving the property a true lodge or resort feel. —Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 17 May 2025

That is, configuring the hull in such a way that air flows over the wings, fuselage, and tail in smooth, parallel layers like a deck of cards sliding smoothly over one another with minimal mixing between adjacent layers. —David Szondy may 16, New Atlas, 16 May 2025

The instruction manual was more coherent than for most frames, and assembly proved more intuitive than trying to configure the puzzle-like joinery of the Thuma Bed. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 12 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English configuren (as past participle configurid) "to model on, conform to," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French configurer "to compare, form," borrowed from Latin configūrāre "to mold, shape," from con- con- + figūrāre "to shape, form, make a likeness of" — more at figure entry 2

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing configure

• pre-configure

Rhymes for configure

• disfigure
• prefigure
• figure
• reconfigure

Kids Definition

configure

verb

con·​fig·​ure kən-ˈfig-yər 

configured; configuring

: to set up for operation especially in a particular way

ships configured for observation