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

As currently configured, I-94 through Waukesha County begins as six-lane road (three eastbound and three westbound) on the east end but narrows to four lanes west of Highway SS. —Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 10 Dec. 2025

The set can be configured as a sectional with a matching glass-top coffee table, or the pieces can be broken into four separate seats or a love seat with an ottoman and lounge chair. —Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025

This top is a great tool to have in your closet toolbox for configuring fun outfit variations and ways to express yourself. —Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2025

Amazon has configured its data centers so that old Trainium2 chips can be yanked out and replaced with new Trainium3 chips without other major changes. —Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Dec. 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