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.
These functions, as well as alternative keyboard layouts and new control modes can be configured using the open source software that Polyend will make available to its community of users to build on. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026 The first 40 or so of those days will be spent turning on the telescope's instruments and performing status checks as the spacecraft slowly configures itself for operation. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Kansas City has two DP spots and two U22 spots to configure, and the checkbook is wide open. — Pj Green august 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 The Mac Mini can now be configured with two new chips, the M6 and M5 Pro. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 26 Aug. 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 1 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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