setup

1 of 2

noun

set·​up ˈset-ˌəp 

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

set up

2 of 2

verb

set up; setting up; sets 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 sense 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

Phrases

set up housekeeping

: to establish one's living quarters

set up shop

: to start a business or activity in a particular place

Synonyms

Noun

• arrangement
• configuration
• conformation
• format
• formation
• layout
• setout

Verb

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

Examples of setup in a Sentence

Noun

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.

Verb

set up tables in the living room for the party

set up a scholarship fund for deserving students from the inner city

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Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Each projector was evaluated on setup and user experience. —L.a. Hubilla, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023

The setup also reduces emissions, noise, and vibrations while improving fuel efficiency. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2023

Made to be durable and easy to use at a bargain price point, the Zebco 33 Spincast Combo is an ideal setup for kids. —Rob McDonald, Field & Stream, 13 Sep. 2023

Hollow victories for hollow ideologies. Think about how many satirical pitfalls Spy vs. Spy avoids simply by the nature of its setup. —Gyasi Hall, Longreads, 12 Sep. 2023

Apple’s campus and pre-event setup lulls you into a sense of calm before the craziness begins. —WSJ, 12 Sep. 2023

The report said that a flooring problem was flagged during setup and that towers had to be rebuilt, but were still shifting overnight. —Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2023

Beginner investors must see their setup procedure to be easy to navigate and understand. —Laxmi Corp, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023

After a one-tap setup, the AirTag is connected with your Find My app on your Apple device (the company says that data is encrypted for privacy and is never stored on AirTag). —Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 14 Sep. 2023

Verb

Indeed, the suggestion that one might ever turn away from the other sets up tension, in the characters and viewer alike. —Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2023

Since President Joe Biden took office, officials have set up additional soft-sided facilities similar to tent complexes to process the growing number of migrants crossing the border, but those facilities are not equipped to provide long-term care. —Priscilla Alvarez, CNN, 21 Sep. 2023

Family reunification was set up at SUNY Orange College. —Tony Aiello, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2023

The two guests did their homework ahead of the trip, trying to set up some ideas that would fit the bill. —Tom Roland, Billboard, 21 Sep. 2023

Just outside the park, on a 175-acre parcel of private land, organizers are working to set up Eclipse Fest, a multi-day event with camping, food, vendors and a concert by ‘90s pop-rock band Smash Mouth. —Jamie Hale, oregonlive, 19 Sep. 2023

Seeking to expand alternatives to incarceration, the bill also would set up a task force to examine possibilities for diversion programs so people can avoid jail time for nonviolent misdemeanor offenses such as drug possession. —Michael Brice-Saddler, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023

But setting up programs that are cable linchpins can also anger distributors, who continue to shell out millions for linear networks. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Sep. 2023

An Olympian fumble and a 36-yard Baca-to-Elijah Gillespie pass set up running back Paul Alvarez for a 3-yard score and the initial lead with 3:54 left in the half. —Kevin J. Farmer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

setup

1 of 2 noun

set·​up ˈset-ˌəp 

: the way in which something is set up : organization, arrangement

set up

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)set-ˈəp

1

: to place in position

set up a target

2

a

: erect entry 2 sense 1

set up a building

b

: to assemble the parts of

set up a machine

3

: to cause to happen

the wind sets up a humming in the wires

4

: to put in operation : found, inaugurate

set up a school

5

: to put in operation as a way of living

set up housekeeping