# installed

/ˌɪnˈstɔɫd/ (US) · /ɪnstˈɔːld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/installed
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. equipment or software

verb · CEFR B1

to put a piece of equipment or a computer program in place so it is ready to use.

For teachers: to set up a piece of equipment, machinery, or software for use. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- The technician installed the new software on all the office computers yesterday.
- Once the security patch was installed across the entire network, the system administrators noticed a significant decrease in unauthorized access attempts.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice when focusing on the equipment rather than the person doing the work.

### 2. placing in a position

verb · CEFR B2

to put someone or something in a specific place or position.

For teachers: to place or fix someone or something in a particular position, often with the intent of staying there for some time.

- She installed herself in the most comfortable armchair with a hot cup of tea.
- The new statues were installed in the public square just in time for the city's centennial celebration.

Usage: Can be used reflexively ('installed himself') to describe someone making themselves comfortable in a spot.

### 3. official ceremony

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to put someone into an important job or position with a formal ceremony.

For teachers: to place someone in an official office or rank with customary ceremonies or formalities.

- The new president was installed during a ceremony at the university.
- The chancellor was formally installed during the spring convocation, following a tradition that dates back several centuries.

Teaching tip: This sense is quite formal; in everyday office life, people usually say someone was 'hired' or 'started their job'.

## Examples

- The technician installed the new software on my laptop this morning.
- We had a new security system installed last week to protect the warehouse from intruders.
- The engineering team successfully installed the updated cooling units across the entire server farm, significantly reducing the facility's overall energy consumption during peak hours.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.