to distribute; to arrange; to allot (to a position of authority, etc.)
to arrange; to lay out (as in decorating)
入口に警備員を配した。
Guards were stationed at the entrance.
各地に部隊を配して防衛体制を整えた。
Troops were deployed in various locations to organize defenses.
主人公の周りに個性的な人物を配する構成が面白い。
The structure of placing distinctive characters around the protagonist is interesting.