install

verb in·stall \ in-ˈstȯl \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of install

transitive verb

1 a : to place in an office or dignity by seating in a stall or official seat

b : to induct into an office, rank, or order

installed the new president

2 : to establish in an indicated place, condition, or status

installing herself in front of the fireplace

3 : to set up for use or service

had an exhaust fan installed in the kitchen

install software

intransitive verb

: to be set up for use or service : to undergo installation

The software installs automatically.

—

installer

noun

See install defined for English-language learners

See install defined for kids

Examples of install in a Sentence

New locks were installed on all the doors.
We thought about installing a new phone system.
The computer comes with the software already installed.
The software installs easily on your hard drive.
The college recently installed its first woman president.
They were temporarily installed in the guest bedroom.

Recent Examples of install from the Web

One option could be for the team to partner with a vendor to install Wi-Fi at zero or minimal cost in return for advertising — perhaps an ad that appears when a fan connects.

— jeff barker, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles fans wonder why Camden Yards' lineup doesn't include Wi-Fi," 19 Apr. 2018
Report for America, a nonprofit organization modeled after AmeriCorps, aims to install 1,000 journalists in understaffed newsrooms by 2022.

— nellie bowles, BostonGlobe.com, "Report for America supports journalism where cutbacks hit hard," 15 Apr. 2018
Under the settlement, the state agreed to provide free bottled water to Flint residents, install water filters in people’s homes and spend nearly $100 million to replace old lead pipes in the city.

— kris maher, WSJ, "Flint Water Tests Show Safe Lead Levels, NRDC Report Says," 13 Apr. 2018
Plane maker Airbus and aerospace design firm Zodiac have teamed up to develop flying bunk beds that airlines can install in the cargo holds of planes, putting a new spin on the idea of first-class travel.

— paul brady, Condé Nast Traveler, "Airbus Has a Radical Idea: Beds in the Cargo Hold," 10 Apr. 2018
More than 200 volunteers are needed in order to install alarms in 500 Boise homes.

— michelle jenkins, idahostatesman, "Event aims to bring stigma-free awareness to mental health | Idaho Statesman," 10 Apr. 2018
The National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, recommended that railroad companies install video and audio recording devices in their locomotive cabs to monitor the activities of crew members and ensure safe operations.

— Washington Post, "Deadly New Mexico rail crash spurs safety recommendations," 10 Apr. 2018
Yet in some versions of the rumor, that’s the point — Trump would use a little-known law to circumvent the confirmation process and install Pruitt in the job temporarily.

— andrew prokop, Vox, "The Scott Pruitt for attorney general rumor Trump just angrily tweeted about, explained," 6 Apr. 2018
Install Solar Energy Homeowners who install solar energy systems in their home can get back tax credits at up to 30% of the cost of installation.

— brian acton, ajc, "11 ways to reduce next year’s tax bill," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'install.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of install

Middle English, from Anglo-French enstaller, installer, from Medieval Latin installare, from Latin in- + Medieval Latin stallum stall, from Old High German stal

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year