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

During his Miami Beach visit, Simpson said the Vertical Aerospace version can be configured to carry six passengers. —David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026

Given these conventions, the markings visible on the bomb have led to speculation that the JDAM shown in the images could be configured with an incendiary-type payload rather than a standard high-explosive filling. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Mar. 2026

Setup is easy, and the versatile features can be configured to individual needs. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026

MacBook Pro This is the workhorse from Apple's stable, available in 14- and 16-inch variants with loads of options to configure the internals. —New Atlas, 4 Mar. 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