set piece

noun

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of set piece

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

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set-piece

play \ˈset-ˌpēs\ adjective

See set piece defined for English-language learners

Examples of set piece in a Sentence

a movie with some lovely set pieces
She scored with a set piece.

Recent Examples of set piece from the Web

There are some set pieces in the movie that came to me before anything else.

— tom philip, GQ, "How Hereditary Director Ari Aster Made the Most Fucked-Up Movie of the Year," 12 June 2018
There are no gyrating dancers or over-the-top set pieces.

— joey guerra, Houston Chronicle, "Harry Styles and Kacey Musgraves celebrate Pride in Houston," 8 June 2018
The Sounders, desperate to jump-start an anemic offense, pushed everyone forward on a set piece in the 90th minute in hopes of finding an equalizer, but Luis Silva instead found the open Seattle net to set the final score.

— seattle times staff, The Seattle Times, "Sounders’ offensive struggles continue as Real Salt Lake posts a 2-0 triumph," 2 June 2018
In it—a fantastical, 15-minute set piece within the film—a young woman is offered a pair of ruby-red pointe shoes by a demonic shoemaker.

— pari dukovic; fashion editor: deborah watson, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Red Shoes," 23 Apr. 2018
Besides a blinding wall of lights, White had one set piece on stage Friday: a stuffed zebra.

— piet levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Jack White tried to skip 'Seven Nation Army.' His Milwaukee fans wouldn't let him," 21 Apr. 2018
James and Alyssa carry out their crimes and misdemeanors against a bright color palette and striking visuals, and one particular set piece involving blood will stay with you long after watching.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "Review: Why Netflix's 'The End of the ... World' is batty fun," 4 Jan. 2018
There’s no such narrative punctuation in The Eagle and the Hawk (screening on Friday 6/8 and Saturday 6/9), though Inoue generates a sense of spectacle in a rousing climactic set piece shot during an actual typhoon.

— ben sachs, Chicago Reader, "Film / Foreign Discover the work of noted Japanese genre director Umetsugu Inoue," 30 May 2018
With fifth place and Europa League football secured, Villarreal looked to make a game of it in the second half, as Nicola Sansone's free kick brought a fine save from Zidane, while Unal's set piece effort curled agonisingly wide soon after.

— SI.com, "Real Madrid Surrender 2-0 Lead as Villareal Comes Back to Secure Draw," 19 May 2018

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.

First Known Use of set piece

1834

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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SET PIECE Defined for English Language Learners

set piece

noun

Definition of set piece for English Language Learners

: 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