Definition of setup
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: carriage of the body
especially
: erect and soldierly bearing
b
: constitution, makeup
2a
: 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
3a
: a table setting
b
: glass, ice, and mixer served to patrons who supply their own liquor
4a
: 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
5a
: 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
6a
: 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
8
: something done by deceit or trickery in order to compromise or frame someone
set up
verb
set up; setting up; sets up
Definition of set up (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: 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
2a
: 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
b
: bring about
4
: to place in power or in office
set up the general as dictator
6a
: to put forward or extol as a model
b
: to claim oneself to be
sets himself up as an authority
7
: found, inaugurate
8a
: 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
10a
: to make taut (a stay or hawser)
b
: to tighten firmly
11
: to make carefully worked out plans for
set up a bank robbery
12a
: to pay for (drinks)
b
: to treat (someone) to something
13a
: 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
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
set up shop
: to establish one's living quarters
: to start a business or activity in a particular place
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for setup
The first known use of setup was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century