configuration

noun

con·fig·u·ra·tion kən-ˌfi-gyə-ˈrā-shən

ˌkän-,

-gə-ˈrā-

Synonyms of configuration next

: relative arrangement of parts or elements: such as

(1)

: shape

(2)

: contour of land

configuration of the mountains

(3)

: functional arrangement

a small business computer system in its simplest configuration

: something (such as a figure, contour, pattern, or apparatus) that results from a particular arrangement of parts or components

: the stable structural makeup of a chemical compound especially with reference to the space relations of the constituent atoms

: gestalt

personality configuration

configurational

kən-ˌfi-gyə-ˈrā-shnəl

-shə-nᵊl

ˌkän-

-gə-ˈrā-

adjective

configurationally adverb

configurative

kən-ˈfi-gyə-rə-tiv

-ˈfi-gə-

ˌkän-

adjective

Did you know?

The term is very common in computer science and mathematics, and in scientific and technological fields in general. Thus, for example, two scientists won a 1962 Nobel Prize for their description of the configuration of the DNA molecule. Since then, researchers have studied what different configurations within the DNA strands mean and what they control, and genetic engineers have tried to configure or reconfigure DNA in new ways to prevent or treat diseases.

Examples of configuration in a Sentence

We'll have to change the configuration of the system to accommodate the new server. the basic configuration of the building is that of a geodesic dome

Recent Examples on the Web There are no complicated setup screens or configurations to manage. —

David Nield, WIRED, 6 Apr. 2024 Seating arrangements shouldn’t be a problem either, with configurations for up to 24 guests on the upper deck, 18 on the main deck and 14 on both the top and pool decks. —

Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024 About this story Due to the uncertainty of the configuration of the debris in the river, renderings may not be to scale. —

Leslie Shapiro, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024 Share this article Newsletter Get Quanta Magazine delivered to your inbox Recent newsletters Introduction No one has come up with a large set of points with any other configuration, but nobody has proved that other configurations are impossible. —

Quanta Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024 Our test configuration, priced at $3,323.58 plus a steep $499.99 for the keyboard, upgrades to a Core i7-1260U vPro chip (two Performance cores, eight Efficient cores, 12 threads), the max 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. —

PCMAG, 27 Mar. 2024 There are more than 100 different adjoining configurations, including the option to reserve the entire side of a deck—an opportunity that would afford a group of travel companions more than 13,000 square feet of living space. —

Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Mar. 2024 Our expert gave a similar configuration the Editor’s Choice stamp of approval, applauding its sturdy build, sharp 2,560-by-1,600 display, and, of course, the customizable RGB lighting. —

Jade Chung-Lee, PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024 Only one similar hill configuration – in Indonesia’s Java – is known of in the world, according to UNESCO, which has placed the Chocolate Hills on its tentative list for world heritage status. —

Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'configuration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "relative position of the planets," borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, "form, relative position of the planets," borrowed from Late Latin configūrātiōn-, configūrātiō "comparison, shaping," from Latin configūrāre "to shape, mold" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at configure

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of configuration was in 1559

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