install

verb

in·​stall in-ˈstȯl 

installed; installing; installs

transitive verb

1

: to set up for use or service

had an exhaust fan installed in the kitchen

install software

2

a

: to induct into an office, rank, or order

installed the new president

b

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

3

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

installing herself in front of the fireplace

intransitive verb

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

The software installs automatically.

installer noun

Synonyms

• inaugurate
• induct
• initiate

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 on the Web

With Petterson out, Soriano had unanimous support to install the five new members, bringing the total number to nine. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025

Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025

The Danish company, which makes and installs the cables to connect offshore wind turbines, lifted its revenue expectations for the full year by about to a range between 2.65 billion euros ($.3.1 billion) and 2.75 billion euros, from a 2.37-billion-euro to 2.52 billion-euro forecast, prior. —Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025

Manufacturers not only have to make products easier to install, but have to also make products that are difficult to install incorrectly. —Jennifer Castenson, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Rhymes for install

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale

Kids Definition

install

verb

in·​stall in-ˈstȯl 

installed; installing

1

: to place in an office or rank

installed the new president

2

: to put in an indicated place or condition

installed himself in the best chair

3

: to set up for use or service

install a TV set

installed the software

installer noun