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 ramps were configured as a giant cross, with the furthest tip reaching all the way to the loge seats on the far end of the floor. —Chris Willman, Variety, 27 June 2025

The remaining circuits, the utility said, were being monitored but were not yet configured for automatic shutoffs due to low fire potential index ratings. —Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2025

To make this possible, website owners install and configure code provided by the tech companies on their pages. —Tomas Apodaca, USA Today, 18 June 2025

Admin functions aren't especially difficult to find or configure, but the sheer number of them can feel overwhelming. —PC Magazine, 17 June 2025

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