setup

1 of 2

noun

set·​up ˈset-ˌəp How to pronounce setup (audio)
1
a
: carriage of the body
especially : erect and soldierly bearing
2
a
: the assembly and arrangement of the tools and apparatus required for the performance of an operation
b
: the preparation and adjustment of machines for an assigned task
3
a
: a table setting
b
: glass, ice, and mixer served to patrons who supply their own liquor
4
a
: a camera position from which a scene is filmed
also : the footage taken from one camera position
b
: the final arrangement of the scenery and properties for a scene of a theatrical or cinematic production
5
a
: a position of the balls in billiards or pool from which it is easy to score
b
: a task or contest purposely made easy
c
: something easy to get or accomplish
d
: something (such as a plot) that has been constructed or contrived
e
: the execution of a planned scoring play in sports
6
a
: the manner in which the elements or components of a machine, apparatus, or system are arranged, designed, or assembled
b
: the patterns within which political, social, or administrative forces operate : customary or established practice
7
8
: something done by deceit or trickery in order to compromise or frame someone

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
b
: to place in view : post
c
: to put forward (something, such as a plan) for acceptance
2
a
: to place upright : erect
set up a statue
b
: to assemble the parts of and erect in position
c
: to put (a machine) in readiness or adjustment for an operation
3
a
: cause, create
set up a clamor
4
: to place in power or in office
set up the general as dictator
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
8
a
: to provide with means of making a living
set him up in business
b
: to bring or restore to normal health
c
: to cause (one) to take on a soldierly or athletic appearance especially through drill
9
: to erect (a perpendicular or a figure) on a base in a drawing
10
a
: to make taut (a stay or hawser)
b
: to tighten firmly
11
: to make carefully worked out plans for
set up a bank robbery
12
a
: to pay for (drinks)
b
: to treat (someone) to something
13
a
: to put in a compromising or dangerous position usually by trickery or deceit
14
: to execute one or more plays in preparation for scoring

intransitive verb

1
: to come into active operation or use
2
: to begin business
3
: to make pretensions
has never set up to be a wise manThomas Rogers
4
: to become firm
Phrases
set up housekeeping
: to establish one's living quarters
set up shop
: to start a business or activity in a particular place

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
This device featured a twin infrared camera setup for facial biometrics that enabled it to perform effectively in the dark. Davey Winder, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 The top section of the tree is easily attached and the branches can be fluffed. Balsam Hill also offers video tutorials and customer support to assist you with setup if need more help. Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024
Verb
In addition to the current increase in trade volumes, companies look at how much foreign direct investment is allocated by companies looking to set up manufacturing facilities in Mexico. Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2024 All of this sets up how FOX Sports will approach the series. Maury Brown, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for setup 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'setup.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of setup was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near setup

Cite this Entry

“Setup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/setup. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

setup

1 of 2 noun
set·​up ˈset-ˌəp How to pronounce setup (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on setup

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