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 work covers system development, demonstration, and integration efforts for an F-35 variant configured for an undisclosed Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Users can configure the treadmill-sized system for strength training, as a Pilates reformer or a rowing machine, or use it to do digital cardio sports like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and SkiCross ski training. — Matt Alderton, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

The Dodgers are still configuring the rest of their rotation, but Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are likely to start Games 3 and 4, respectively. — Katie Woo, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2026

In addition, refinery components are custom-configured according to the needs of each location, contributing to the difficulty of distinguishing one type of unit from another. — Jarrett Ley, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 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