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

With its modular design, the Brontanax can be quickly configured as a missile platform, sensor extension, electronic warfare aircraft, and precision ground attack for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. — David Szondy july 24, New Atlas, 25 July 2026

Warner says Neo handles three critical tasks which include inventorying every piece of agentic software installed; assessing how each is configured; and, enforcing policies on what each is permitted to do. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 24 July 2026

Both aircraft share a common airframe, hybrid-electric propulsion system and core technologies, while being configured for different mission requirements. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026

Chips like those made by Cerebras are configured to provide the first AI answers as quickly as possible, while making tradeoffs in terms of flexibility and total power. — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 23 July 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