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

In both cases, Murphy resists direct commentary, instead using politics as a set piece to make meaning and Shakespearean entertainment out of the players themselves. — Leo Lasdun, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026

Despite being a fun Ant-Man sequel with enjoyable set pieces and the addition of The Pfeiffer, the film suffers from a lack of focus. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026

Colorado generated better chances for much of the night, repeatedly testing goalkeeper Brad Stuver and threatening from set pieces. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

At the same time, a smaller group including Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Kieran Morrison, Stefan Bajcetic and Josh Sonni-Lambie worked on set pieces with Elphick and Cooper. — James Pearce, New York Times, 1 Aug. 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