What does reconfiguration mean?
Reconfiguration is the act of changing the way something is arranged, organized, or configured, as well as the new arrangement that results. It is especially common in technical and institutional contexts: a network may undergo reconfiguration, a company may announce a reconfiguration of its departments, and an architect or designer may plan a reconfiguration of a space. The word differs from ordinary adjustment because it can imply a broad or systematic change rather than a minor modification. It also differs from reorganization, although the two are closely related: reconfiguration emphasizes the resulting arrangement or structure, while reorganization more often emphasizes the process of changing an organization. In general use, reconfiguration conveys precision and deliberate change, making it useful for describing alterations that affect how a system, space, or group operates.
nounThe act or process of changing the way something is arranged, organized, or configured. It can also refer to the resulting new arrangement.
- The act or process of changing the arrangement, organization, or configuration of something.
"The proposed reconfiguration of the workspace would create more open areas for collaboration."
"The engineers planned a reconfiguration of the network to improve reliability."
"The company's major reconfiguration placed regional managers under a single operational director."
Used for multiple separate changes of configuration, or for multiple resulting arrangements.
"The factory has undergone several reconfigurations to accommodate new production lines."
Reconfiguration describes the art of changing the arrangement without necessarily replacing what is being arranged.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reconfiguration come from?
Reconfiguration combines the English prefix re-, meaning again or anew, with configuration. Configuration comes through French from Latin configurare, “to shape” or “to form,” ultimately associated with figura, “form” or “figure.” The prefixed form developed in English as a way of describing arranging or configuring something again. Related words such as configure and disfigure share this Latin root and the wider sense of forming or shaping.
How reconfiguration is actually used
Common in technical, scientific, design, organizational, and institutional contexts. It is neutral in tone but often suggests a substantial or deliberate change to an existing arrangement.
Easily confused with reconfiguration
Reconfiguration means changing an existing arrangement or structure, whereas reformation generally means changing or improving something in a broader social, institutional, or religious sense.