set piece

noun

plural set pieces

1

a

: a composition (as in literature, art, or music) executed in a fixed or ideal form often with studied artistry and brilliant effect

b

: a scene, depiction, speech, or event that is obviously designed to have an imposing effect

2

: a realistic piece of stage scenery standing by itself

3

: a precisely planned and conducted military operation

an offensive set piece that caught the enemy off guard

4

sports : a carefully planned sequence of movements performed by the members of a team (as in soccer)

A set piece can be used on either a direct or indirect type of [free] kick, providing one of the few times during the game that a team can execute something that it may have spent hours practicing.

—Doug Roberson

set-piece

ˈset-ˌpēs 

adjective

Examples of set piece in a Sentence

a movie with some lovely set pieces

She scored with a set piece.

Recent Examples on the Web

England needed a set piece to score when Cole Palmer’s corner was flicked on at the near post and White rolled the ball over the line. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026

Were there any scenes or set pieces that particularly stood out for you? —K.j. Yossman, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026

In the 27th minute, Anders Dreyer delivered a set piece into a crowded box. —Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026

Season two of The Pitt doesn’t have the big set piece like season one did, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s emotions aren’t at an all-time high or that their nerves aren’t completely fried. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for set piece

• apiece
• aris
• assise
• caprice
• cerise
• decease
• decrease
• eyepiece
• facepiece
• handpiece
• headpiece
• increase