configuration

[ kuhn-fig-yuh-rey-shuhn ]
See synonyms for configuration on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the relative disposition or arrangement of the parts or elements of a thing.

  2. external form, as resulting from this; conformation.

  1. Astronomy.

    • the relative position or aspect of heavenly bodies.

    • a group of stars.

  2. 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).

  3. Computers.

    • 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.

    • 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.

Origin of configuration

1
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-ate1) + -iōn--ion

Other words from configuration

  • con·fig·u·ra·tion·al, con·fig·u·ra·tive [kuhn-fig-yer-uh-tiv, -yuh-rey-tiv], /kənˈfɪg yər ə tɪv, -yəˌreɪ tɪv/, adjective
  • con·fig·u·ra·tion·al·ly, adverb
  • pre·con·fig·u·ra·tion, noun

Words Nearby configuration

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use configuration in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for configuration

configuration

/ (kənˌfɪɡjʊˈreɪʃən) /


noun
  1. the arrangement of the parts of something

  2. the external form or outline achieved by such an arrangement

  1. physics chem

    • Also called: conformation the shape of a molecule as determined by the arrangement of its atoms

    • the structure of an atom or molecule as determined by the arrangement of its electrons and nucleons

  2. psychol the unit or pattern in perception studied by Gestalt psychologists

  3. computing the particular choice of hardware items and their interconnection that make up a particular computer system

Origin of configuration

1
C16: from Late Latin configūrātiō a similar formation, from configūrāre to model on something, from figūrāre to shape, fashion

Derived forms of configuration

  • configurational or configurative, adjective
  • configurationally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012