set piece

noun

plural set pieces

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

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

set-piece

ˈset-ˌpēs 

adjective

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

Haddy is collaborating with Walt Disney Imagineering to explore the creation of select props and set pieces for Disney Parks. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025

West Ham have conceded nine goals from set pieces this season, the highest in the Premier League and the most by any side in the history of the league after the opening nine games. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025

But Terrifier 2 mostly uses those details as pillars to prop up one surreal, splattery set piece after another. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025

The big comedy set pieces overwhelm Miller’s attempts at satire, but any movie that has Nicholson casually dropping filthy double (and single) entendres beneath arched eyebrows is worth a look. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for set piece

• apiece
• aris
• assise
• caprice
• cerise
• decease
• decrease
• eyepiece
• facepiece
• handpiece
• headpiece
• increase