set piece

noun

plural set pieces

Definition of set piece

1a : 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

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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 Seconds after his bicycle kick on frame was blocked away for a corner kick, Mabiala made no mistake on a header from close range on the ensuing set piece to equalize in the 43rd minute. — oregonlive, 21 Nov. 2021 Environmental mechanics add to the set piece chaos of the fights, pushing players to make hard decisions between punching bad guys and saving innocents. — Rob Wieland, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021 The best chance for the Timbers in the half came from a set piece in the 20th minute, but Dario Zuparic directed a header from close range directly into the body of Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond. — oregonlive, 17 Oct. 2021 Soon, Sandie/Eloise is being twirled across the dance floor by the wolfish music manager Jack (Doctor Who’s Matt Smith) in a bravura set piece of swooping camerawork, costuming, production design, and tag-team choreography. — Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2021 There’s ample area for casual business meet-ups in the living room-like lobby under the soaring eight-story atrium complete with greenery, floating sculptures and an Instagram-ready set piece. — Kathy A. Mcdonald, Variety, 29 Oct. 2021 The centerback credited the set piece design of assistant coach Josema Bazan for placing himself and other players into better positions to capitalize on those opportunities. — Julia Poe, orlandosentinel.com, 3 Oct. 2021 Gone are assistant Tyrone Marshall, set piece coach Matt Glaeser, goalkeeper coach Todd Hoffard and assistant Steffen Siebert. — Alex Vejar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Mar. 2021 But in the first major set piece, the camera is static, lacking a kineticism to make the punches reverberate. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2021

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

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Dictionary Entries Near set piece

set pattern

set piece

set pin

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Last Updated

13 Jan 2022

Cite this Entry

“Set piece.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20piece. Accessed 24 Jan. 2022.

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More Definitions for set piece

set piece

noun

English Language Learners Definition of set piece

: a scene in a movie or play, an image in a painting, a piece of music, etc., that has a familiar style or pattern and that creates a particular and usually dramatic effect

: a carefully planned and performed group of movements in sports

See the full definition for set piece in the English Language Learners Dictionary