set

verb

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\ ˈset

set; setting

Definition of set

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to cause to sit : place in or on a seat

2a : to put (a fowl) on eggs to hatch them

b : to put (eggs) for hatching under a fowl or into an incubator

3 : to place (oneself) in position to start running in a race

4a : to place with care or deliberate purpose and with relative stability set a ladder against the wall set a stone on the grave

b : transplant sense 1 set seedlings

c(1) : to make (a trap) ready to catch prey

(2) : to fix (a hook) firmly into the jaw of a fish

d : to put aside (something, such as dough containing yeast) for fermenting

5 : to direct with fixed attention set your mind to it

6a : to cause to assume a specified condition, relation, or occupation slaves were set free set the house on fire

b : to cause the start of set a fire

7a : to appoint or assign to an office or duty

b : post, station

8 : to cause to assume a specified posture or position set the door ajar

9a : to fix as a distinguishing imprint, sign, or appearance the years have set their mark on him

b : affix

c : apply set a match to kindling

10 : to fix or decide on as a time, limit, or regulation : prescribe set a wedding day set the rules for the game

11a : to establish as the highest level or best performance set a record for the half mile

b : to furnish as a pattern or model set an example of generosity

c : to allot as a task setting lessons for the children to work upon at home — Manchester Examiner

12a : to adjust (a device and especially a measuring device) to a desired position set the alarm for 7:00 set a thermostat at 68 also : to adjust (something, such as a clock) in conformity with a standard

b : to restore to normal position or connection when dislocated or fractured set a broken bone

c : to spread to the wind set the sails

13a : to put in order for use set a place for a guest

b : to make scenically ready for a performance set the stage

c(1) : to arrange (type) for printing set type by hand

(2) : to put into type or its equivalent (as on film) set the first word in italic

14a : to put a fine edge on by grinding or honing set a razor

b : to bend slightly the tooth points of (a saw) alternately in opposite directions

c : to sink (the head of a nail) below the surface

15 : to fix in a desired position (as by heating or stretching)

16 : to arrange (hair) in a desired style by using implements (such as curlers, rollers, or clips) and gels or lotions

17a : to adorn with something affixed or infixed : stud, dot clear sky set with stars

b : to fix (something, such as a precious stone) in a border of metal : place in a setting

c : to place in a specified literary or dramatic setting a story set in Paris

18a : to hold something in regard or esteem at the rate of sets a great deal by daily exercise

b : to place in a relative rank or category set duty before pleasure

c : to fix at a certain amount set bail at $500

d : value, rate their promises were set at naught

e : to place as an estimate of worth set a high value on life

19 : to place in relation for comparison or balance theory set against practice

20a : to direct to action

b : to incite to attack or antagonism war sets brother against brother

21a : to place by transporting was set ashore on the island

b : to put in motion

c : to put and fix in a direction set our faces toward home once more

d of a dog : to point out the position of (game) by holding a fixed attitude

22 : to defeat (an opponent or a contract) in bridge

23a : to fix firmly : make immobile : give rigid form or condition to set her jaw in determination

b : to make unyielding or obstinate

24 : to cause to become firm or solid set milk for cheese

25 : to cause (fruit or seed) to develop

intransitive verb

1 chiefly dialectal : sit

2 : to be becoming : be suitable : fit the coat sets well

3 : to cover and warm eggs to hatch them

4a : to affect one with or as if with weight the pudding sets heavily on my stomach

b : to place oneself in position in preparation for an action (such as running)

5 of a plant part : to undergo development usually as a result of pollination

6a : to pass below the horizon : go down the sun sets

b : to come to an end this century sets with little mirth— Thomas Fuller

7 : to apply oneself to some activity set to work

8 : to have a specified direction in motion : flow, tend the wind was setting from Pine Hill to the farm— Esther Forbes

9 of a dog : to indicate the position of game by crouching or pointing

10 : to dance face to face with another in a square dance set to your partner and turn

11a : to become solid or thickened by chemical or physical alteration the cement sets rapidly

b of a dye or color : to become permanent

c of a bone : to become whole by growing together

set about

: to begin to do

set apart

1 : to reserve to a particular use

2 : to make noticeable or outstanding

set aside

1 : to put to one side : discard

2 : to reserve for a purpose : save

3 : dismiss

4 : annul, overrule

set at

: to mount an attack on : assail would go although … devils should set at me— Charlotte Yonge

set eyes on

: to catch sight of

set foot in

: enter

set foot on

: to step onto

set forth

1 : to give an account or statement of

2 : to start out on a journey

set forward

1 : further

2 : to start out on a journey

set in motion

: to give impulse to sets the story in motion vividly— Howard Thompson

set one's hand to

: to become engaged in

set one's heart on

: resolve sense transitive 5 she set her heart on going to medical school

set one's house in order

: to organize one's affairs

set one's sights on

: to determine to pursue

set one's teeth on edge

: irritate, annoy

set one straight

: to correct someone by providing accurate information

set sail

: to start out on a course especially : to begin a voyage set sail for Bermuda

set store by or set store on

: to consider valuable, trustworthy, or worthwhile

set the stage

: to provide the basis or background this trend will set the stage for higher earnings

set to music

: to provide music or instrumental accompaniment for (a text)

set upon

: to attack usually with violence the dogs set upon the trespassers

set

noun

Definition of set (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : the act or action of setting

b : the condition of being set

2 : a number of things of the same kind that belong or are used together an electric train set

3a : mental inclination, tendency, or habit : bent a set toward mathematics

b : a state of psychological preparedness to perceive or respond to an anticipated stimulus or situation

4 : direction of flow the set of the wind

5 : form or carriage of the body or of its parts her face took on a cynical set— Raymond Kennedy

6 : the manner of fitting or of being placed or suspended in order to give the skirt a pretty set— Mary J. Howell

7 : amount of deflection from a straight line set of a saw's teeth

8 : permanent change of form (as of metal) due to repeated or excessive stress

9 : the act or result of arranging hair by curling or waving

10 or less commonly sett \ ˈset

a : a young plant or rooted cutting ready for transplanting

b : a small bulb, corm, or tuber or a piece of tuber used for propagation onion sets

c : the blossoms of a plant that have set fruit as a result of fertilization

11 or sett : the burrow of a badger

12 : the width of the body of a piece of type

13 : an artificial setting for a scene of a theatrical or film production

14 or less commonly sett : a rectangular paving stone of sandstone or granite

15 : a division of a tennis match won by the side that wins at least six games beating the opponent by two games or by winning a tiebreaker

16 : a collection of books or periodicals forming a unit

17 : a clutch of eggs

18 : the basic formation in a country-dance or square dance

19 : a session of music (such as jazz or dance music) usually followed by an intermission also : the music played at one session

20 : a group of persons associated by common interests

21 : a collection of elements and especially mathematical ones (such as numbers or points)

— called also class

22 : an apparatus of electronic components assembled so as to function as a unit a television set

23 : a usually offensive formation in football or basketball

24 : a group of a specific number of repetitions of a particular exercise

set

adjective

Definition of set (Entry 3 of 3)

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

5a : immovable, rigid set frown

b : built-in a set tub

6 : settled, persistent set defiance

7a : 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 set Are 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

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?

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing set Learn More About set

Synonyms & Antonyms for set

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Adjective

Antonyms: Adjective

Examples of set in a Sentence

Verb We need to set some extra chairs around the table. He set the ladder against the wall and walked away. I remember setting my bag right here. They set the bricks along the walkway. The jeweler can set the stone several different ways. He turned off the car and set the parking brake. Rangers will set a trap to catch the bear. We set an extra place at the table for our guest. Noun I need to buy a new set of golf clubs. The kids are allowed to watch two hours of television. After that, I turn off the set. We met on the set of Hamlet. Adjective 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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The court set a $30,000 surety bond for Birdsong, but records indicate Birdsong remains in Marion County's jail. — Lawrence Andrea, The Indianapolis Star, 16 May 2022 If custody orders permit, maybe set her up for fewer of these disappointments. — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 16 May 2022 In partnership with Manchester Community College, a consortium of companies known as the Aerospace Components Manufacturers has set aside funding to train their workforce — a necessity in today’s rapidly changing advanced manufacturing sector. — Erica E. Phillips, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2022 One-in-four Americans with diabetes reported rationing insulin during the pandemic, and 20 states in addition to the District of Columbia have set price limits, according to the American Diabetes Association. — Sam Janesch, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2022 When Major League Baseball suspended Trevor Bauer last month for 324 games, the league set the stage for an unprecedented battle over an unprecedented punishment. — Louise Radnofsky, WSJ, 16 May 2022 The Suns set the franchise single-season wins record with their 63rd victory, which came against the Los Angeles Lakers in a game that knocked the Lakers out of playoff contention. — New York Times, 15 May 2022 That equalizer set the tone for the rest of the evening. — Theo Mackie, The Arizona Republic, 15 May 2022 Yet, thanks to the intervention of Victoria’s residents, Mitchell was set free. — David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 15 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The Associated Press reported last month that New Mexico’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau has asked Rust Movie Productions to pay $139,793 for firearms safety failures on the set. — Wilson Wong, NBC News, 16 May 2022 Online reviewers found set-up to be much easier than expected and loved how comfy the olefin fabric was on the sofa. — Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping, 13 May 2022 Other collaborators on the set include CNCO, Mariah Angeliq, Akon, Lola Indigo, Ana Mena, and many more. — Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 13 May 2022 Another artifact, a black-and-white clapper board used on the set of the film adaptation of Cabaret, highlights the close connections between Broadway and Hollywood. — Jane Recker, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2022 The couple have been together since meeting on the set of The Place Beyond the Pines in 2011, and have two daughters: Esmeralda, who was born in 2014, and Amada, who was born in 2016. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 13 May 2022 The set list draws almost entirely from the infectiously dance-y Future Nostalgia, which was released, inopportunely, in March 2020. — Jen Wang, Vogue, 10 May 2022 The set list was dominated by material from Gigaton (eight songs) and Ten (six), with two songs each from Vs. — Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 4 May 2022 Along with the easier, more portable set-up, and relatively affordable price, the Quest line of headsets have quickly carried Meta’s version of VR into mainstream adoption territory. — Adario Strange, Quartz, 3 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The Turtle Island Quartet’s lovely neoclassicism was given its own solo spot and elicited a mid-set standing ovation. — Tristram Lozaw, BostonGlobe.com, 12 May 2022 Mayo-lovers can choose from a set menu of over 40 designs, tattooed with color or in black on their arms and legs. — Zoe Sottile, CNN, 1 May 2022 The set menu at Zeitlin’s is nine dishes per person for $60-$80, with vegetarian options. — Aviya Kushner, chicagotribune.com, 20 Apr. 2022 With a popular pre-set lunch menu and equally loved BYOB policy with no corkage fee, the restaurant is abuzz with activity from open to close. — Megha Mcswain, Chron, 22 Mar. 2022 The Asian Night Market is not on a set schedule and had scaled back during the COVID-19 pandemic. — Lauren Mcdowell, Chron, 17 Mar. 2022 The film struggles to maintain the verve of this opening sequence (which nails a specific anxiety of liberal middle-class Black people), subsequently becoming a series of set pieces — some more energetic than others — in search of a thesis. — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2022 Consider routinizing things like email correspondence by checking email on a pre-set schedule, or limiting wardrobe and meal options so that your time and energy can be used on higher-value decisions. — Carrie Kerpen, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2021 Rideshare is available on-demand rather than on a pre-set schedule, as public transit offers. — Laura Fraade-blanar, STAT, 12 Aug. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'set.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for set

Verb

Middle English setten, from Old English settan; akin to Old High German sezzen to set, Old English sittan to sit

Adjective

Middle English sett, from Old English gesett, past participle of settan

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Last Updated

18 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Set.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set. Accessed 23 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for set

set

verb

\ ˈset

set; setting

Kids Definition of set

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : to put or fix in a place or condition I set the box on a table.

2 : to cause to be, become, or do Police set the prisoner free.

3 : start entry 1 sense 4 He set a fire.

4 : to fix or decide on They set the wedding date. Have you set a price?

5 : to furnish as a model You should set an example for the others. She ran to the front and set the pace.

6 : to adjust or put in order for use Please set the table. Did you set the alarm?

7 : to fix firmly He sets his feet and takes aim.

8 : to pass below the horizon : go down The sun is setting.

9 : to begin some activity They set to work on the cleaning project.

10 : to cause to sit I set the baby in her chair.

11 : to arrange in a desired and especially a normal position Doctors set the broken bone.

12 : to become or cause to become firm or solid Wait for the cement to set.

13 : to cover and warm eggs to hatch them The hen set for days.

14 : to locate the plot of (a story)

15 : to provide (as words or verses) with music

set aside

: to reserve for some purpose

set eyes on

: to catch sight of : see Though he lived nearby, I had never set eyes on him.

set in

: to make its appearance : begin They needed to leave arctic waters before winter set in.

set off

1 : to start a journey We set off for home.

2 : explode sense 1 We set off fireworks.

3 : to make noticeable The phrase is set off by commas.

4 : to cause to start The story set them off laughing.

set out

1 : to begin on a course or journey We arrived a month after we set out.

2 : to begin with a purpose He set out to win.

set up

1 : to place or secure in position Help me set up the tables.

2 : to put in operation The community set up an animal shelter.

set

noun

Kids Definition of set (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a number of persons or things of the same kind that belong together, are used together, or occur together a set of footsteps He was given two sets of clothes and a towel.— Louis Sachar, Holes

2 : the act or action of going below the horizon the set of the sun

3 : an electronic apparatus a television set

4 : a collection of mathematical elements

5 : a group of tennis games that make up a match

6 : the form or movement of the body or of its parts the set of the shoulders

7 : an artificial setting for a scene of a play or motion picture

set

adjective

Kids Definition of set (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : fixed by authority a set rule

2 : not very willing to change The people he works with are set in their ways.

3 : ready entry 1 sense 1 Are you all set?

set

verb

\ ˈset

set; setting

Medical Definition of set

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to restore to normal position or connection when dislocated or fractured set a broken bone

intransitive verb

1 : to become solid or thickened by chemical or physical alteration

2 of a bone : to become whole by knitting

set

noun

Medical Definition of set (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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