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

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025

If a team switches frequently in and out of tempo plays, scouts can bring that back to coaches, who will install similar periods in practice. —Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

The $60 million raised for project development, led by Turtle Hill Capital, will be used to install equipment starting with about 1,200 homes in Illinois and Massachusetts. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025

In Grenada, residents have begun to push back against a request by Washington to install radar and other military assets at its international airport, which was built by Cuba. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 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