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

In the wake of Jovic’s success in international play, Serbia teammate Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets MVP center, cited Jovic’s post-play and success with set pieces. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2026

All four of Torres’ assists have come off set pieces. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

All of the costumes and set pieces have been built for the show, with none of it borrowed from anywhere else. —David John Chávez, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026

All four of Torres' assists have come off set pieces. —CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026

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