ENGLISH
REFERENCE

install

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˌɪnˈstɔɫ// UK //ɪnstˈɔːl// in·stall General-service Informal

v. to put a new piece of equipment or software in place so it is ready to use. You do this when you get a new washing machine or download a new app.

v. to set up or place equipment, machinery, or software in position for use. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the item being positioned.


SIMPLE

I need to install the latest update on my phone.

CONTEXTUAL

The technician will arrive tomorrow morning to install the new security cameras around the office building.

COMPLEX

Before the research team could begin data collection, they had to install specialized sensors across the entire facility to monitor fluctuations in ambient temperature.

Synonyms
Origin

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”), German einstellen (“to set, adjust, position”), Dutch aanstellen (“to appoint, commission, institute”), Dutch instellen (“to set up, establish”). More at in, stall.

Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object; in computing contexts, it often takes the preposition 'on' for the destination device.

Pitfall

I installed to my computer the softwareI installed the software on my computerInstall is transitive and should be followed immediately by the object, not a prepositional phrase.

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