configuration

noun con·fig·u·ra·tion \ kən-ˌfi-gyə-ˈrā-shən , ˌkän- , -gə-ˈrā- \

Updated on: 4 Dec 2017

Definition of configuration

1 a : relative arrangement of parts or elements: such as

(1) : shape

(2) : contour of land

configuration of the mountains

(3) : functional arrangement

a small business computer system in its simplest configuration

b : something (such as a figure, contour, pattern, or apparatus) that results from a particular arrangement of parts or components

c : the stable structural makeup of a chemical compound especially with reference to the space relations of the constituent atoms

2 : gestalt

personality configuration

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configurational

play \kən-ˌfi-gyə-ˈrā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl, ˌkän-, -gə-ˈrā-\ adjective

—

configurationally

adverb

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configurative

play \kən-ˈfi-gyə-rə-tiv, -ˈfi-gə-, ˌkän-\ adjective

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Examples of configuration in a Sentence

We'll have to change the configuration of the system to accommodate the new server.
the basic configuration of the building is that of a geodesic dome

Recent Examples of configuration from the Web

The most advanced systems cost $300,000 to $500,000, depending on configuration.

— guy boulton, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Here’s what happens when women design a new system for mammography," 14 Oct. 2017
As of this writing, the 10.5-inch iPad Pro in 256GB and 512GB configurations that had cost $749 and $949, respectively, are now on sale for $799 and $999.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "Why Did Apple Quietly Raise the iPad Pro’s Price by $50?," 13 Sep. 2017
New optional rear seats have multiple configurations and can be moved forward to allow third-row access even with child seats strapped in.

— tom krisher, The Seattle Times, "Big sellers like Toyota Camry, Ram getting updates in 2018," 5 Sep. 2017
Before hanging, lay out possible configurations on the floor to find a pleasing balance.

— jennifer jones, ELLE Decor, "Multiple Choice," 5 July 2012
There are many ways of connecting the processors to each other, and likewise the machines within a cluster, with Cray offering a number of configurations and the optimal system topology depending on the needs of the workload.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "Cray supercomputers coming to Azure cloud," 23 Oct. 2017
Called The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, the innovative new venue features nine movable seating towers that can be arranged in a variety of configurations.

— blair kamin, chicagotribune.com, "Flexible, intimate and innovative, The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare has its opening night," 20 Sep. 2017
As the project moves into its next phase, only three southbound lanes will feed into the El Chaparral Port of Entry, a reduction from five in the current configuration.

— sandra dibble, latimes.com, "Tijuana detour: Southbound lanes at San Ysidro border crossing to be closed for 57 hours," 8 Sep. 2017
But the company is rumored to be bringing back the 64GB configuration with its next smartphone, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

— lisa eadicicco, Time, "5 Features Apple's iPhone 8 Needs to Beat Android," 7 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'configuration.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

The term is very common in computer science and mathematics, and in scientific and technological fields in general. Thus, for example, two scientists won a 1962 Nobel Prize for their description of the configuration of the DNA molecule. Since then, researchers have studied what different configurations within the DNA strands mean and what they control, and genetic engineers have tried to configure or reconfigure DNA in new ways to prevent or treat diseases.

Origin and Etymology of configuration

Late Latin configuration-, configuratio similar formation, from Latin configurare to form from or after, from com- + figurare to form, from figura figure

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First Known Use: 1559

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