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 hand automatically adjusts thumb positioning for a stable grip and can be configured remotely via Bluetooth-enabled iPhone and Android apps. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026

With beer, wine, coffee and snacks for sale, Clubhound was a place configured to entertain both dogs and their owners. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 16 June 2026

Many university cybersecurity programs underemphasize cyber law, risk management, enterprise architecture and executive communication, producing graduates who can configure a firewall but cannot assess business risk or brief a board. —Harpreet Sidhu, Fortune, 13 June 2026

The unit is configured for a 28-watt TDP, and the Ventiva modules are housed in a strip across the back edge of the laptop, venting out the rear. —John Burek, PC Magazine, 13 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