configure

verb

con·​fig·​ure kən-ˈfi-gyər How to pronounce configure (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This potentially allows the same aircraft platform to undertake different types of strike missions while carrying weapons configured for different target characteristics. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026 One of tech’s fastest growing jobs is sending workers directly to customers to configure AI tools, integrate software, and solve complex business problems. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026 But because of how the spacecraft were configured for the journey, most of the instruments have not — and will not — get to work until after MPO and Mio have separated. — Meghan Bartels, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026 Both Cartwright-Cox and Madory said Hetzner configured these settings in a way that allowed the hijacking to fly under the radar provided by these security measures. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for configure

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of configure was in 1677

Phrases Containing configure

Rhymes for configure

See All Rhymes for configure

Browse Nearby Words

configurative
configure
confine
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Configure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/configure. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

configure

verb
con·​fig·​ure kən-ˈfig-yər How to pronounce configure (audio)
configured; configuring
: to set up for operation especially in a particular way
ships configured for observation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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