configure

American  

[kuhn-fig-yer] / kənˈfɪg yər /

verb (used with object)

configured, configuring

1. to design or adapt to form a specific configuration or for some specific purpose.

   The planes are being configured to hold more passengers in each row.

2. Computers.

   1. to put together (a computer or computer system) by supplying, arranging, or connecting a specific set of internal or external components.

      My next laptop will be configured for gaming with a fast processor and lots of memory.

   2. to set up (a software program or device) for a particular computer, computer system, or task.

      to configure the printer for a wireless network.

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configure British  

/ ˌkənˈfɪɡə /

verb

1. to arrange or organize

2. computing to set up (a piece of hardware or software) as required

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Other Word Forms

• configurable adjective
• preconfigure verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of configure

Back formation from configuration

Example Sentences

Veteran Republican Rep. Darrell Issa has decided not to run for reelection in his newly configured congressional district in San Diego and Riverside counties.

From Los Angeles Times

“We tried configuring an off-the-shelf tool for our cycle. Too many fields we don’t need, missing the ones we do…So I just built what we needed. Took a night and a morning,” he wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal

When configured properly, the same ingredients can deliver stronger effects with lower toxicity compared to unstructured mixtures.

From Science Daily

They said their turbines can be configured as combined cycle, which means a steam turbine is added to capture waste heat.

From The Wall Street Journal

If the thought of configuring a VPN makes you break out in a cold sweat, this one’s for you.

From Salon

Related Words

• construct