configuration

American  

[kuhn-fig-yuh-ray-shuhn] / kənˌfɪg jəˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

• configurations
  plural

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 (contrasted with 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.

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configuration British  

/ 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 called: conformation. 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• preconfiguration
  noun
• configurational
  adjective
• configurative
  adjective
• configurationally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• configurations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of configuration

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

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Explanation

When you position items into any spatial arrangement, you are creating a configuration, or specific shape. For example, scientists refer to the specific, bonded arrangement of atoms to make a molecule as a configuration. The root of configuration presents pretty much the current meaning, with the Latin configūrāre meaning "to mold or shape." You can see the word figure in the middle, which presents the idea of a physical form that's being shaped. As an example: the specific configuration, or arrangement, of the genes in your DNA is what makes you the unique individual that you are.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

configuration configurations

"The remaining resource configuration is considered unstable," the company said, warning that technical support communications could also be disrupted as teams assessed the damage.

From Barron's ● Oct. 11, 2026

Today, the airport’s configuration is too compact to accommodate many large private planes, so some A-listers—including Kim Kardashian and John Mayer—fly into Rifle Garfield County Airport, about 65 miles away from Aspen’s downtown.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

Depending on the configuration of the stairs, it may be more practical to install a stairlift on the main staircase, which is often the most heavily used set of stairs in the house.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026

According to the researchers, that configuration resembles conditions seen in the model before past ruptures that crossed both fault systems.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026

One could use the laws of science to evolve the universe back in time to determine its configuration at earlier times.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking

The venue's official seated capacity is just under 74,000, but boxing configurations allow for even larger crowds.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

A posse of extras clad in white jumpsuits and little black aprons would occasionally flood the set, tidying up and moving the furniture into new configurations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

There’s a staggering amount of Norman Rockwells, some in interesting configurations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

SKUs, or stock-keeping units, are how those in the industry refer to different model configurations.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 7, 2026

Todd also went along with the keto configurations, saying that his organic-chemist friends had drawn enol groups for purely arbitrary reasons.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

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Related Words

• composition
• contour
• shape
• structure

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