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 structure is expandable up to 800 square feet and can be configured as either a single- or two-story dwelling. —Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025

Its modular 8-ton payload bay allows the Orca to be configured for mine countermeasures, surveillance, electronic warfare, and even strike missions. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 21 Nov. 2025

Parents can configure limits for children using the Family Sharing feature, and lock them down with a passcode that only the parent knows. —PC Magazine, 21 Nov. 2025

Following that initial power failure, the NTSB found that multiple parts of the back up systems that were supposed to restore power and functionality to the ship and prevent the loss of propulsion were not configured correctly. —Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 18 Nov. 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