Also spelled instal
Meanings
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1
verb
To put a piece of equipment somewhere and prepare it so it is ready to use.
They installed a new air conditioner in the office.
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2
verb
To add software to a computer or phone so it can be used.
I need to install the app before the meeting.
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3
verb
To place someone formally in an official position or office.
She was installed as president of the club.
Thesaurus
Common collocations
Etymology
From Middle English installen, from Old French installer, from Medieval Latin īnstallō (“to install, put in place, establish”), from in- + stallum (“stall”), from Frankish *stall (“stall, position, place”), from Proto-Germanic *stallaz (“place, position”), from Proto-Indo-European *stel-, *stAlǝn-, *stAlǝm- (“stem, trunk”). Cognate with Old High German stal (“location, stall”), Old English steall (“position, stall”), Old English onstellan (“to institute, create, originate, establish, give the example of”), Middle High German anstalt (“institute”), German anstellen (“to conduct, employ”), Germa…