1
: something (such as a portion of receipts or production) that is set aside for a specified purpose
2
: a program requiring a percentage of opportunities (as for jobs or funding) to be reserved for an underrepresented group

Examples of set-aside in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Though Trump's administration has fought to ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs, federal contracting rules include set-asides for small businesses owned by women or minorities. Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2025 Hundreds of millions of acres of land in the United States have been taken off the table for housing through land set-asides, Kafkaesque permitting regimes, and the constant threat of litigation. James Burling, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025 Specifically, his plan calls for a $78 million set-aside to address potential Tier 2 compliance costs. Derek Douglas, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025 Several rooms in their own set-aside section of the larger facility are designated as an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit and are equipped with special seizure-monitoring equipment. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2025 Line a large baking pan with some of the set-aside, uncooked leaves, then top with small amount of the sauce mixture. Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 11 May 2025 Still, contractors said there were other problems with the set-aside program that the legislation failed to address. Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 4 May 2025 Companies of all types should be allowed to compete on an even playing field to demonstrate their best solutions and avoid set-asides that favor one type of company. Toni Townes-Whitley, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 For investors from countries with EB-5 visa backlogs, such as China and India, set-aside EB-5 visas significantly help avoid long delays. Sam Silverman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of set-aside was in 1943

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Cite this Entry

“Set-aside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set-aside. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Legal Definition

set aside

transitive verb
1
: to disagree with and overturn (a decision or act of a lower tribunal) upon review : overrule, vacate
set aside the decree
2
: to deprive of legal effect or force : annul, void
may set aside the contract

More from Merriam-Webster on set-aside

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