set down

verb

set down; setting down; sets down

transitive verb

1

: to cause to sit down : seat

2

: to place at rest on a surface or on the ground

3

: to suspend (a jockey) from racing

4

: to cause or allow to get off a vehicle : deliver

5

: to land (an airplane) on the ground or water

6

a

: ordain, establish

b

: to put in writing

7

a

: regard, consider

set him down as a liar

b

: attribute

Synonyms of set down

• sit
• seat
• put

Examples of set down in a Sentence

set the toddler down in her seat

set down the names of those in attendance

Recent Examples on the Web

The Sharks are pretty set down the middle with Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and Michael Misa all in the early stages of their respective careers. —Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026

Bode is setting down roots in Asia. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 19 Feb. 2026

After touring and setting down her Real Housewives of Potomac champagne flute, Candiace focused on parenthood, welcoming a baby boy with her husband, Chris Bassett, in 2024. —Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026

The idea is that personal belongings and other items should be put away in a specific place, rather than set down upon returning home. —Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for set down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

set down

verb

1

: to cause to sit down : seat

2

: to place at rest on a surface or on the ground

3

: to land (an airplane) on the ground or water

4

: establish sense 2

the government set down laws

5

: to put in writing