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 researchers found that the situation changes when a beam of light is prepared in a particular balanced configuration.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026

"That finding shaped our choice of cooling configuration from the outset," with "advanced air cooling" chosen instead of water cooling.

From Barron's ● Oct. 11, 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

The yields can be altered depending on the type of crude used and the configuration of the refinery, but not by much.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

Prisoners from the general section painted the cement surface green and then fashioned the traditional configuration of white lines.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

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

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

The album is loaded with Anthrax trademarks — serrated, crunchy riffs, soaring lead vocals, bludgeoning beats, and scorching guitar — but there are also galactic noise effects, angular song structures and atypical chord configurations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 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

“By combining applied AI with decades of sophisticated business rules, regulatory compliance, security models, data models and customer configurations, we enable customers to continuously realize AI’s value,” he said.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

It was Friday, and what mattered were the streets thronged with people in amazing configurations.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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Related Words

• composition
• contour
• shape
• structure

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