The MeerKAT array consists of 64 receptors with 13.5 m diameter dishes, designed to achieve high sensitivity and imaging dynamic range, while providing an array and functionality to provide for a wide range of science. MeerKAT achieves a sensitivity of at least 220 m2/K at L-band (our designs indicate that we may achieve 300 m2/K in the L-band). The high sensitivity requirement drives the design to multiple octave band single pixel feeds with cryogenic cooling. Three receivers cover the required operating band in the frequency ranges 0.58 - 1.015GHz, 0.9 - 1.67GHz and 8 - 14.5GHz. The receivers use Gifford-McMahon (GM) cryogenic cooling which will potentially significantly exceed the current sensitivity specification. The offset Gregorian dish configuration enhances sensitivity by providing high aperture efficiency and low spill-over temperature contribution. The offset Gregorian dish configuration also provides a clean optical path that can be designed to produce low overall sidelobe levels and azimuthal symmetry in the inner sidelobes to achieve high imaging dynamic range. Low sidelobe levels also provide good rejection of unwanted radio frequency interference from satellites and terrestrial transmitters. The array configuration is designed with two components: a compact core containing 70% of the dishes, and an extended array designed for high fidelity imaging performance over a range of resolutions from 6 arcsec to approximately 100 arcsec.