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

All the while, there was the outstanding issue of the city paying back Hollywood Park for all those improvements, but that arrangement was configured to ensure Inglewood could do so without going into the red. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Brick’s night version also supports multiple users, and each can independently configure their own settings, modes, blocked app selection, time windows, and spaces. — Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2026

The six-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bath residence includes formal living and dining rooms, two family rooms, and a spacious eat-in kitchen configured around a large island. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2026

Daytona can configure a new sandbox for an AI agent in 60 milliseconds, according to Burazin. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

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