set
adjective
1
: intent, determined
set upon going
2
: intentional, premeditated
did it of set purpose
3
: fixed by authority, appointment, or agreement
The wedding is set [=scheduled] for early June.
Students can drop in during set [=designated] office hours
4
: reluctant to change
set in their ways
6
: settled, persistent
set defiance
7
a
: ready for action, use, etc. : prepared
We were set for an early morning start.
The table is set. Should I bring out the food?
—often used in the phrase all setAre we all set [=completely ready] to leave?
We replaced the belt, so your car should be all set. [=fully functional and ready for use]
She's all set to blast him, all set to wipe that anxious smile off his face, to tell him some hard home truths. And then she stops. She can't do it.—
Norma Fox Mazer
Norma Fox Mazer
b
: needing or wanting nothing further
"Would you like more coffee?" "No thanks, I'm set."
The leak is fixed, so you should be set now.
After winning the lottery, they were set for life
—often used in the phrase all set"Would you like more coffee?" "No thanks, I'm all set."
Can I help you find something, or are you all set?
Is the bill all set, or do you need some change?
Examples of set in a Sentence
Her college is set in the countryside.
Their house is set back from the road.
a man with deep-set eyes
She has very set ideas about how children should behave.
Recent Examples on the Web
For now there is no set closing date.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
Boise City Aquatic Center at 5959 North Discovery Way offers a kiddie pool, a warm pool, a slide and a lap pool with set lanes and an open section.
—Hali Smith
june 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 June 2026
Newcastle do not operate with a set budget earmarked for transfer fees alone, and their kitty will be affected by outgoing business.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 2 June 2026
According to the study, authenticity is driving that engagement, with 39% of video podcast consumers ranking viewing hosts and guests interact as the single most valuable on-screen element, above set design, graphics, or production values.
—Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for set
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show current usage.
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Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
Boise City Aquatic Center at 5959 North Discovery Way offers a kiddie pool, a warm pool, a slide and a lap pool with set lanes and an open section.
—Hali Smith
june 2, Idaho Statesman, 2 June 2026
Newcastle do not operate with a set budget earmarked for transfer fees alone, and their kitty will be affected by outgoing business.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 2 June 2026
According to the study, authenticity is driving that engagement, with 39% of video podcast consumers ranking viewing hosts and guests interact as the single most valuable on-screen element, above set design, graphics, or production values.
—Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for set
Cite this Entry
“Set.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
set
1 of 3 verb
set; setting
1
: to cause to sit
2
: to give (a fowl) eggs to hatch or provide (eggs) with suitable conditions for hatching
3
a
: to put or fix in a place, condition, or position
set a dish on the table
set a trap
set a watch
b
: to place (a story or performance) in a specified setting
a book set in a small town
4
: to direct with fixed attention
had set my heart on a new bike
5
: to cause to be, become, or do
prisoners were set free
6
: to start on purpose
set a fire
7
: to fix or decide on as a time, limit, or regulation
set a price
set a wedding day
8
a
: to establish as the best performance
set a record
b
: to furnish as a pattern or model
set an example
9
: to restore to normal position or connection
set a broken bone
10
a
: to put in order for immediate use
set the table
b
: to put in order for printing
set type by hand
c
: to put into type or something like type (as on photographic film)
set the first word in italic
11
: to wave, curl, or arrange hair by wetting and drying
12
: to fix in a setting or frame
set diamonds in a ring
13
: value entry 2 sense 1, rate
set the loss at $2000
14
: to put and fix in a direction
set our faces toward home once more
15
: to fix firmly : give rigid form to
set his jaw in determination
16
: to become or cause to become firm or solid
the gelatin is setting
17
: to form and bring to maturity
the old tree still sets a good crop of apples
18
chiefly dialect
: sit sense 1a, b
19
: to cover and warm eggs to hatch them
the hen has been setting for several days
20
: to pass below the horizon
the sun sets
21
: to apply oneself to some activity
set to work
22
: to have a certain direction in motion : flow
23
: to become permanent
if you don't wash that fast the stain will set
set
2 of 3 noun1
a
: the act or action of setting
b
: the condition of being set
2
: a number of persons or things of the same kind that belong or are used together
the social set
a set of dishes
3
: direction of flow
the set of the wind
4
: the form or movement of the body or of its parts
the set of the shoulders
5
: an artificial setting for a scene of a play or movie
6
: a group of tennis games that make up a match
7
: a group of mathematical elements (as numbers or points)
8
: an electronic device
a television set
set
3 of 3 adjective1
: showing great determination
set against going
2
: fixed by authority
a set rule
3
: not very willing to change
set in their ways
4
a
: fixed sense 1a, rigid
a set smile
b
: built-in
a set tub for washing
5
: prepared for use or action : ready
are you all set?
Medical Definition
set
1 of 2 verb
set; setting
: to restore to normal position or connection when dislocated or fractured
set a broken bone
1
: to become solid or thickened by chemical or physical alteration
2
of a bone
: to become whole by knitting
set
2 of 2 noun
: a state of psychological preparedness usually of limited duration for action in response to an anticipated stimulus or situation
the influence of mental set on problem solving
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