setup

1 of 2

noun

set·​up ˈset-ˌəp 

1

a

: the preparation and adjustment of a machine for an assigned task

The setup of the new software was a breeze.

Unfortunately, setup was somewhat involved and there are a number of plastic components that give us some doubts about the barrel's longevity.

—Nor'Adila Hepburn

b

: the assembly and arrangement of the tools and apparatus required for the performance of an operation

… there is a lot of variation between the setups and procedures of different farms.

—Helen Branswell

Users can opt for wired or wireless setup, providing flexibility based on their needs.

—Shubham Yewale

2

a

: the execution of a planned scoring play in sports

The logic was that both would play extensively in a three-man setup.

—Eric Hansen

b

: a position of the balls in billiards or pool from which it is easy to score

c

: a task or contest purposely made easy

d

: something easy to get or accomplish

e

: something (such as a plot) that has been constructed or contrived

Each episode of the series, following the initial setup, will delve into a different character's backstory and pathos.

—Christian Holub

f

: the beginning of a story, joke, etc., that explains and leads to what follows

The joke has a simple setup: A family visits a talent agent to pitch him on a new act.

—Kory Grow

3

a

: the manner in which the elements or components of a machine, apparatus, or system are arranged, designed, or assembled

performance suspension setup and fuel injection

With different setups, anglers can imitate small baitfish, aquatic nymphs, and even rodents.

—Max Inchausti

b

: the patterns within which political, social, or administrative forces operate : customary or established practice

4

: project, plan

5

informal : something done by deceit or trickery in order to compromise or frame someone

But the armed robbery was a setup orchestrated by an undercover officer …

—Baltimore Sun

6

a

: a camera position from which a scene is filmed

also : the footage taken from one camera position

… changing between a half-dozen equally extravagant outfits and utilizing constantly shifting camera setups.

—Paul A. Thompson

b

: the final arrangement of the scenery and properties for a scene of a theatrical or cinematic production

7

a

: a table setting

b

: glass, ice, and mixer served to patrons who supply their own liquor

8

a

: carriage of the body

especially : erect and soldierly bearing

b

: constitution, makeup

the patient's mental setup

set up

2 of 2

verb

set up; setting up; sets up

transitive verb

1

a

: to raise to and place in a high position

set up a flag/sail

b

: to place in view : post

set up a lawn sign

c

: to put forward (something, such as a plan) for acceptance

2

a

: to place upright : erect

… a beautiful stretch of white sand with plenty of chairs and umbrellas set up.

—Devorah Lev-Tov

b

: to assemble the parts of and erect in position

set up a tent

c

: to put (a machine) in readiness or adjustment for an operation

One officer told him he wasn't allowed to set up the sound equipment.

—Ana Vanessa Herrero and Samantha Schmidt

3

a

: cause, create

set up a clamor

b

: to create and prepare for use : bring about

set up accounts online

Mexico's free trade agreements and economic alliances make the country an attractive location for setting up manufacturing operations.

—Lori Ann LaRocco

4

a

: to place in power or in office

set up the general as dictator

b

: to cause (someone) to meet a person in order to potentially start a romantic relationship

She was always setting her brother up with her friends.

They were set up on a date through a mutual friend.

—Clare Mulroy

5

a

: to raise from depression : elate, gratify

b

: to make proud or vain

6

a

: to put forward or extol as a model

b

: to claim oneself to be

sets himself up as an authority

7

: found, inaugurate

set up a school

8

: to make carefully worked out plans for

set up a bank robbery

9

a

: to put in a compromising or dangerous position usually by trickery or deceit

b

: frame sense 3

claims she was set up

10

a

: to provide with means of making a living

That degree set me up for life.

also : to establish (oneself) in a business

She set herself up as a wedding planner.

b

: to bring or restore to normal health

c

: to cause (one) to take on a soldierly or athletic appearance especially through drill

11

sports : to execute (one or more plays) in preparation for scoring

… set up his 15-yard TD run … with a 28-yard pass …

—Patrick Z. McGavin

12

: to erect (a perpendicular or a figure) on a base in a drawing

13

a

: to make taut (a stay or hawser)

b

: to tighten firmly

14

informal + dated

a

: to pay for (drinks)

b

: to treat (someone) to something

intransitive verb

1

: to prepare for something especially by putting things where they need to be

time to set up for the party

2

: to begin business

… amateurs could … set up in business for themselves.

—Barbara Holland

3

: to make pretensions

… has never set up to be a wise man …

—Thomas Rogers

4

: to become firm

… the cake will start to set up in the fridge after about one hour …

—Nicole McLaughlin

see also set up housekeeping, set up shop

Synonyms of setup

Noun

• layout
• formation
• format

Verb

• put
• situate
• place
• position
• locate

Examples of setup in a Sentence

Noun

Setup of the new software is a breeze.

It took me a while to learn the setup of the office's filing system.

We had a great setup. On my days off, my wife would work from home while I took care of the kids.

The software makes it easy to create custom setups.

Verb

set up tables in the living room for the party

set up a scholarship fund for deserving students from the inner city

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The autonomous solution This intelligent mining transport system is not merely a remote-control setup. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Dec. 2025

Whereas standard denim is typically woven in a simple twill structure and is relatively fast and cost-effective to produce, especially at scale, the process to make jacquard denim is slower and require more advanced programming and setup. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 Dec. 2025

Verb

Sampson lost the ball, and it was recovered by linebacker Cedric Gray, which helped set up a crucial touchdown late in the game. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025

The panels here are set up in a similar way to hieroglyphics, where the panels merge into the tunnels in a pace that echoes drum beats or machine knocking. —Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 8a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for setup

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

setup

1 of 2 noun

set·​up ˈset-ˌəp 

: the way in which something is set up : organization, arrangement

set up

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)set-ˈəp

1

: to place in position

set up a target

2

a

: erect entry 2 sense 1

set up a building

b

: to assemble the parts of

set up a machine

3

: to cause to happen

the wind sets up a humming in the wires

4

: to put in operation : found, inaugurate

set up a school

5

: to put in operation as a way of living

set up housekeeping