setup

noun set·up \ ˈset-ˌəp \

Definition of setup

1 a :carriage of the body; especially :erect and soldierly bearing

b :constitution, makeup

2 a :the assembly and arrangement of the tools and apparatus required for the performance of an operation

b :the preparation and adjustment of machines for an assigned task

3 a :a table setting

b :glass, ice, and mixer served to patrons who supply their own liquor

4 a :a camera position from which a scene is filmed; also :the footage taken from one camera position

b :the final arrangement of the scenery and properties for a scene of a theatrical or cinematic production

5 a :a position of the balls in billiards or pool from which it is easy to score

b :a task or contest purposely made easy

c :something easy to get or accomplish

d :something (such as a plot) that has been constructed or contrived

e :the execution of a planned scoring play in sports

6 a :the manner in which the elements or components of a machine, apparatus, or system are arranged, designed, or assembled

b :the patterns within which political, social, or administrative forces operate :customary or established practice

7 :project, plan

8 :something done by deceit or trickery in order to compromise or frame someone

See setup defined for English-language learners

See setup defined for kids

Examples of setup in a Sentence

Setup of the new software is a breeze.
It took me a while to learn the setup of the office's filing system.
We had a great setup. On my days off, my wife would work from home while I took care of the kids.
The software makes it easy to create custom setups.

Recent Examples of setup from the Web

A Bill and Hillary Clinton speaking engagement is scheduled for the 4,000-seat indoor theater setup Nov. 17.

— matthew martinez, star-telegram, "Irving Music Factory rises amid sea of Las Colinas offices, filling an entertainment gap," 24 Aug. 2017
Users register online, then complete the setup by scanning their palm print at a merchant using Keyo.

— cheryl v. jackson, chicagotribune.com, "Keyo lets you pay for food, drink and goods with a wave of the hand," 23 Aug. 2017
The setup looks good overall for New England’s fall foliage display this year.

— Washington Post, "‘Spectacular’ autumn foliage is forecast for New England," 18 Aug. 2017
A county employee reportedly warned the city council in April that the setup made the Mall vulnerable to a terrorist attack; he was politely rebuffed.

— justin davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "There’s a Basic Security Device That Can Prevent a Barcelona-Style Attack. Why Don’t We Use It More?," 18 Aug. 2017
The setup features four gigantic insulated vats, two containing salt and two containing antifreeze.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Google to Build Energy Storage Facility With Vats of Molten Salt and Ultracool Antifreeze," 1 Aug. 2017
But Hasford says such setups should not normally be allowed for first-in-human trials.

— hinnerk feldwisch-drentrup, Science | AAAS, "After French drug trial tragedy, European Union issues new rules to protect study volunteers," 1 Aug. 2017
The new practice setup UAB's $22.5 million facility is essentially complete, minus a few amenities and decorations.

— drew champlin, AL.com, "What to watch for as UAB football opens fall camp," 29 July 2017
Although speculation is that the Mets will use him more as a potential late-inning setup reliever.

— andre c. fernandez, miamiherald, "Marlins deal closer Ramos to Mets for pair of prospects," 28 July 2017

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

setup vs. set-up vs. set up

The noun setup is usually styled as a solid compound (that is, as a single word) in American English and as a hyphenated compound (set-up) in British English. The noun may be used attributively (that is, as an adjective) in such phrases as setup man (“someone who makes machine tool adjustments”) and setup tool (“software that facilitates the installation of a computer program”). The verb set up, on the other hand, is usually found as an open compound (two words, no hyphen) in both American and British English.

First Known Use of setup

1890

setup Synonyms

Synonyms

arrangement, configuration, conformation, formation, layout, setout, format

Related Words

design, plan, scheme; composition, constitution, getup, makeup; build, construction, structure

Near Antonyms

confusion, disorder, disorganization, disruption, upset; disconnection, disjointedness

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

set up

verb

Definition of set up

transitive verb

1 a :to raise to and place in a high position

b :to place in view :post

c :to put forward (something, such as a plan) for acceptance

2 a :to place upright :erect

set up a statue

b :to assemble the parts of and erect in position

c :to put (a machine) in readiness or adjustment for an operation

3 a :cause, create

set up a clamor

b :bring about

4 :to place in power or in office

set up the general as dictator

5 a :to raise from depression :elate, gratify

b :to make proud or vain

6 a :to put forward or extol as a model

b :to claim oneself to be

sets himself up as an authority

7 :found, inaugurate

8 a :to provide with means of making a living

set him up in business

b :to bring or restore to normal health

c :to cause (one) to take on a soldierly or athletic appearance especially through drill

9 :to erect (a perpendicular or a figure) on a base in a drawing

10 a :to make taut (a stay or hawser)

b :to tighten firmly

11 :to make carefully worked out plans for

set up a bank robbery

12 a :to pay for (drinks)

b :to treat (someone) to something

13 a :to put in a compromising or dangerous position usually by trickery or deceit

b :frame 3

14 :to execute one or more plays in preparation for scoring

intransitive verb

1 :to come into active operation or use

2 :to begin business

3 :to make pretensions

has never set up to be a wise man
—Thomas Rogers

4 :to become firm

— set up housekeeping

:to establish one's living quarters

— set up shop

:to establish one's business

See set up defined for kids

Examples of set up in a Sentence

set up tables in the living room for the party
set up a scholarship fund for deserving students from the inner city

First Known Use of set up

13th century

set up Synonyms

Synonyms

depose, deposit, dispose, emplace, fix, lay, position, put, set, place, situate, stick

Antonyms

close (down), phase out, shut (up)

Related Words

move, rearrange, reorder, shift; orient; establish, locate, plant, settle; clap, flop, plank, plop, plump, plunk (or plonk), plunk down, slap; ensconce, niche; assemble, collect; carry; berth, park; affix, anchor, lock, lodge, wedge; array, lay out, line up, queue, rank; set down

Near Antonyms

relocate, remove, take; banish; dislodge, displace, replace, supersede, supplant

SETUP Defined for English Language Learners

setup

noun

Definition of setup for English Language Learners

: the process of making something (such as a machine or computer program) ready to be used
: the way that something is done or organized
: a situation in which someone is deliberately put in a bad position or made to look guilty