What does installation mean?
An installation is the process of putting software, equipment, or another system into place and making it ready for use. The word can also refer to the installed arrangement itself, such as a security installation or a military facility. In the arts, an installation is a work or display that uses objects, images, light, sound, or the surrounding space to create an experience for viewers. The sense of setting something up is common in technical and everyday contexts, while “art installation” is the familiar form in galleries and museums. Installation can imply careful arrangement and configuration rather than merely bringing an object into a room. It is therefore useful when describing both practical acts of setup and deliberately designed environments or artworks.
nounThe action or process of installing something, especially software, equipment, or a system. It can also refer to the installed equipment or arrangement itself, or to a work of art displayed in a particular space.
- The action or process of installing software, equipment, or a system.
- The equipment, machinery, or arrangement that has been installed at a particular site.
- A military or industrial site where people, equipment, or materials are located.
- A work of art, often incorporating objects, light, sound, or space, and displayed in a gallery or other setting.
"The installation of the new security system was completed before the building opened."
"Users should follow the installation instructions before opening the application."
"The museum's new installation combines projected images, natural materials, and recorded sound."
Used when referring to multiple installed systems, sites, artworks, or pieces of equipment.
"The building has separate installations for heating, cooling, and communications."
From setting up a machine to creating an entire gallery display, an installation can be both a practical operation and an artistic statement.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does installation come from?
The word was formed in English by adding the suffix -ation to install, a verb borrowed from French installer. The French verb ultimately drew on Latin installare, meaning “to place or set up.” The noun developed from the English verb through the abstract noun-forming suffix and came to denote the process of setting something in place, as well as the resulting arrangement or site.
Related word forms
How installation is actually used
In general use, installation most often refers to setting up software, appliances, or systems. In an artistic or curatorial context, it refers to an arranged presentation of a work; in military and industrial contexts, it may denote a facility or site.
Easily confused with installation
Installation means putting something into place or setting it up, whereas an installment is one of a series of payments or parts.
Installation is the practical process of setting up equipment or software, while inauguration is the formal opening or beginning of an institution, event, or public ceremony.