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

Guys like Dr. Strayer were hired to figure out how to configure networks and displays so that the information was useful and life- preserving—not overwhelming and deadly.

From Literature

If you can’t decide how to configure your boxes, try creating a few shapes on the wall with painter’s tape to narrow your options.

From Seattle Times

However, they tend to be difficult to configure because the user needs to understand the internal structure and principles of the chip and individually adjust its basic units.

From Science Daily

You don’t configure the weights yourself; instead you subject the AI to training so that it finds values that are as suitable as possible.

From Scientific American

Between those and the options Patel plans to deliver in its next wave of laptops, you can configure a machine that is uniquely yours — a rarity in an age of one-size-fits-all gadgetry.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• construct