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

Musk said later that the drones were configured incorrectly by a military contractor. —ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026

The concept is built around a 246 foot (75-meter) modular hull displacing more than 1,000 tonnes and is configured from the outset as an uncrewed platform. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026

At the nose is a pronounced S-duct directing so much airflow that the wipers had to be vertically configured at the flanks of the windshield. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 25 May 2026

Some suites are duplexes and, in keeping with the hotel's family-friendliness, some can be configured in different ways via a cool Create Your Own Suite program. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 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