arrangement

noun

ar·​range·​ment ə-ˈrānj-mənt 

1

a

: the state of being arranged : order

everything in neat arrangement

b

: the act of arranging

was responsible for the arrangement of the details

2

: something arranged: such as

a

: a preliminary measure : preparation

travel arrangements

b

: a piece of music that has been changed so that it can be performed by particular types of voices or instruments

c

: an informal agreement or settlement especially on personal, social, or political matters

arrangements under the new regime

3

: something made by arranging parts or things together

a floral arrangement

Synonyms

• blueprint
• design
• game
• game plan
• ground plan
• master plan
• plan
• program
• project
• road map
• scheme
• strategy
• system

Examples of arrangement in a Sentence

They changed the arrangement of furniture in the room.

the collection and arrangement of data

a chronological arrangement of historical events

We tried several different arrangements of the parts.

Having my brother and his wife living nearby was an ideal arrangement for our family.

The family had very unusual living arrangements.

“What were your sleeping arrangements?” “I slept on the bed while he slept on the floor.”

We'll have to change the seating arrangements for the dinner party.

Her job includes arrangement of her boss's travel plans.

There was an unusual political arrangement between the two countries.

Recent Examples on the Web

There is also a distinct possibility the case settles before a trial, assuming the church, its insurance companies and Holmes can identify an acceptable arrangement. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 May 2025

According to an exclusive report from The Athletic, France scrapped the deal after our reporters started asking around about the arrangement, which would present pretty obvious ethical hurdles. —Chris Branch, New York Times, 29 May 2025

To determine whether a foreign entity is a trust or another type of legal arrangement (e.g., a foreign corporation), taxpayers must analyze applicable foreign law against the backdrop of U.S. tax principles. —Matthew L. Roberts, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025

This arrangement is akin to putting the wolf in charge of the hen house — the conclusion seems predetermined. —Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, going back to Middle French arengement, from arenger "to arrange" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

1690, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing arrangement

• pre-arrangement
• seating arrangement/plan

Rhymes for arrangement

• rearrangement
• derangement
• estrangement

Kids Definition

arrangement

noun

ar·​range·​ment ə-ˈrānj-mənt 

1

: a putting in order : the order in which things are put

the arrangement of furniture in a room

2

: preparation or planning done in advance

make arrangements for a trip

3

: something made by arranging

a flower arrangement

4

: a changing of a piece of music to suit voices or instruments other than those for which it was first written