configuration

[ kuhn-fig-yuh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the relative disposition or arrangement of the parts or elements of a thing.
2. external form, as resulting from this; conformation.
3. Astronomy.
   1. the relative position or aspect of heavenly bodies.
   2. a group of stars.
4. Chemistry. an atomic spatial arrangement that is fixed by the chemical bonding in a molecule and that cannot be altered without breaking bonds ( conformation ).
5. Computers.
   1. the way a computer or computer system is put together; a specific set and arrangement of internal and external components, including hardware, software, and devices.
   2. the way a software program or device is set up for a particular computer, computer system, or task; the specific settings for a program or device:

      configuration of your email program to work with your new ISP.

configuration

/ kənˌfɪɡjʊˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the arrangement of the parts of something
2. the external form or outline achieved by such an arrangement
3. physics chem
   1. Also calledconformation the shape of a molecule as determined by the arrangement of its atoms
   2. the structure of an atom or molecule as determined by the arrangement of its electrons and nucleons
4. psychol the unit or pattern in perception studied by Gestalt psychologists
5. computing the particular choice of hardware items and their interconnection that make up a particular computer system

Derived Forms

• conˌfiguˈrationally, adverb
• conˌfiguˈrational, adjective

Other Word Forms

• con·figu·ration·al con·fig·u·ra·tive [k, uh, n-, fig, -yer-, uh, -tiv, -y, uh, -rey-tiv], adjective
• con·figu·ration·al·ly adverb
• precon·figu·ration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of configuration¹

1550–60; < Late Latin configūrātiōn- (stem of configūrātiō ), equivalent to Latin configūrāt ( us ) shaped like its model, past participle of configūrāre to mold, shape ( con- con- + figūr ( a ) figure + -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of configuration¹

C16: from Late Latin configūrātiō a similar formation, from configūrāre to model on something, from figūrāre to shape, fashion

Example Sentences

Cornbread in any configuration that managed to hit sweet, salty, rich and warm all at once.

From Salon

In both of England's matches the standout feature was the configuration of central midfield.

From BBC

Twelve Louisiana voters challenged the new map in federal court last spring, and the court scrapped the configuration, ruling that the district created an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.

From Salon

Despite Verstappen's pace, the Red Bull looked difficult to drive, and the team were trying out different set-ups and configurations on the car, including swapping between two different front wing specifications.

From BBC

But thousands of people, displaced by the wildfires, are finding themselves in communal living situations, of myriad configurations, by necessity.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• composition
• contour
• shape
• structure