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

The roughly 55-foot-long cabin can seat up to 19 passengers, but is often configured with eight to 12 seats for a roomier feel. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 June 2026

For this contract, the R80D SkyRaider drone has been specially configured with semi-autonomous CBRN search and survey capabilities developed under the CSIRP program. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 June 2026

Currently configured as a duplex with two spacious two-bedroom residences, the property can earn, host, hold or eventually give way to a future custom residence. —Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

The suite can be configured into a three- or four-bedroom accommodation with a living and dining room, and a full kitchen that can host a chef from the hotel restaurant Lola 41. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 June 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