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

For example, if a service is unresponsive, configure a policy to restart the process automatically. —Sameer Malhotra, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024

Spanish speakers from the same region show the opposite patterns, suggesting that language configures how speakers map time onto space. —Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024

But, even when fully configured, the E7 Pro is cheaper than many rivals. —Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 19 Dec. 2024

According to a report prepared by the U.S. Government Accountability Office in July, the first Dark Eagle's missile configured for operational use can be after a successful flight test, and within 11 months all eight missiles will be ready for one Dark Eagle's battery. —Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

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

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