configuration

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.

Definitions of configuration
  1. noun
    an arrangement of parts or elements
    “the outcome depends on the configuration of influences at the time”
    synonyms: constellation
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 9 types...
    hide 9 types...
    redundancy
    (electronics) a system design that duplicates components to provide alternatives in case one component fails
    network topology, topology
    the configuration of a communication network
    chunking, unitisation, unitization
    (psychology) the configuration of smaller units of information into large coordinated units
    bus, bus topology
    the topology of a network whose components are connected by a busbar
    loop, loop topology
    the topology of a network whose components are serially connected in such a way that the last component is connected to the first component
    star, star topology
    the topology of a network whose components are connected to a hub
    mesh, mesh topology
    the topology of a network whose components are all connected directly to every other component
    physical topology
    the appearance of the network
    logical topology
    the way the network works
    type of:
    design, plan
    an arrangement scheme
  2. noun
    any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
    synonyms: conformation, contour, form, shape
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 27 types...
    hide 27 types...
    keenness, sharpness
    thinness of edge or fineness of point
    bluntness, dullness
    without sharpness or clearness of edge or point
    topography
    the configuration of a surface and the relations among its man-made and natural features
    lobularity
    the property of having lobules
    concaveness, concavity
    the property possessed by a concave shape
    convexity, convexness
    the property possessed by a convex shape
    angularity
    the property possessed by a shape that has angles
    narrowing
    an instance of becoming narrow
    curvature, curve
    the property possessed by the curving of a line or surface
    roundness
    the property possessed by a line or surface that is curved and not angular
    straightness
    freedom from crooks or curves or bends or angles
    crookedness
    having or distinguished by crooks or curves or bends or angles
    stratification
    a layered configuration
    acuteness
    the quality of having a sharp edge or point
    obtuseness
    the quality of lacking a sharp edge or point
    hollowness
    the property of having a sunken area
    bulginess, roundedness
    the property possessed by a rounded convexity
    coarctation
    (biology) a narrowing or constriction of a vessel or canal; especially a congenital narrowing of the aorta
    taper
    the property possessed by a shape that narrows toward a point (as a wedge or cone)
    oblongness, rectangularity
    the property of being shaped like a rectangle
    triangularity
    the property of being shaped like a triangle
    globosity, globularness, rotundity, rotundness, sphericalness, sphericity
    the roundness of a 3-dimensional object
    cylindricality, cylindricalness
    the roundness of a 3-dimensional cylinder
    circularity, disk shape
    the roundness of a 2-dimensional figure
    curliness, waviness
    (of hair) a tendency to curl
    straightness
    (of hair) lack of a tendency to curl
    bottleneck, chokepoint, constriction
    a narrowing that reduces the flow through a channel
    type of:
    spatial property, spatiality
    any property relating to or occupying space
Word Family
EDITOR’S CHOICE

Test prep from the experts

Boost your test score with programs developed by Vocabulary.com’s experts.

  • Proven methods: Learn faster, remember longer with our scientific approach.
  • Personalized plan: We customize your experience to maximize your learning.
  • Strategic studying: Focus on the words that are most crucial for success.

SAT/PSAT

$29.95
  • Number of words: 500+
  • Duration: 8 weeks or less
  • Time: 1 hour / week
Start today

TOEFL

$29.95
  • Number of words: 500+
  • Duration: 10 weeks or less
  • Time: 1 hour / week
Start today

ACT

$29.95
  • Number of words: 700+
  • Duration: 10 weeks
  • Time: 1 hour / week
Start today