installation
Americannoun
-
something installed, as machinery or apparatus placed in position or connected for use.
-
the act of installing.
-
the fact of being installed.
-
Military. any more or less permanent post, camp, station, base, or the like, for the support or carrying on of military activities.
noun
-
the act of installing or the state of being installed
-
a large device, system, or piece of equipment that has been installed
-
a military establishment usually serving in a support role
-
an art exhibit often involving video or moving parts where the relation of the parts to the whole is important to the interpretation of the piece
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of installation
First recorded in 1600–10, installation is from the Medieval Latin word installātiōn- (stem of installātiō ). See install, -ation
Explanation
Installation is the process of putting something in a position so it can work properly. If the installation of the new dishwasher goes badly, you'll end up with water all over the kitchen floor. Installation is frequently used for appliances and machinery, like the installation of a fountain in your yard or the installation of a fan in your attic to help the house stay cool. You can also use it for people being set up in new positions or jobs: "The installation of a new president has been positive for the university." When artists talk about installations, they mean semi-permanent art exhibits: "The video installation in the museum's elevator is very innovative."
Vocabulary lists containing installation
On a Pedestal: Marble-ous Words for Sculpture
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Shipwrecked!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Selection Vocabulary 4, Unit 4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The installation draws on a lifetime of objects gathered at swap meets with his father, and a desire to provide visibility to his community.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026
One is a major exhibition at Tate Britain, spanning seven decades of his work, and the other is a multimedia installation in Tate Modern's Turbine Hall bringing his celebrated designs for opera sets to life.
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026
Testing of Orion's heat shield also continues, with individual heat shield blocks undergoing ultrasonic inspections before installation.
From Science Daily • Jun. 11, 2026
There had been unrest at the location during an initial protest in late May against preparatory onsite work during installation of barbed wire to cordon off the area.
From Barron's • Jun. 6, 2026
“I could make summer endless. Imagine that. An installation of infinite fire.”
From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
