setup

1 of 2

noun

set·​up ˈset-ˌəp 

1

a

: the preparation and adjustment of a machine for an assigned task

The setup of the new software was a breeze.

Unfortunately, setup was somewhat involved and there are a number of plastic components that give us some doubts about the barrel's longevity.

—Nor'Adila Hepburn

b

: the assembly and arrangement of the tools and apparatus required for the performance of an operation

… there is a lot of variation between the setups and procedures of different farms.

—Helen Branswell

Users can opt for wired or wireless setup, providing flexibility based on their needs.

—Shubham Yewale

2

a

: the execution of a planned scoring play in sports

The logic was that both would play extensively in a three-man setup.

—Eric Hansen

b

: a position of the balls in billiards or pool from which it is easy to score

c

: a task or contest purposely made easy

d

: something easy to get or accomplish

e

: something (such as a plot) that has been constructed or contrived

Each episode of the series, following the initial setup, will delve into a different character's backstory and pathos.

—Christian Holub

f

: the beginning of a story, joke, etc., that explains and leads to what follows

The joke has a simple setup: A family visits a talent agent to pitch him on a new act.

—Kory Grow

3

a

: the manner in which the elements or components of a machine, apparatus, or system are arranged, designed, or assembled

performance suspension setup and fuel injection

With different setups, anglers can imitate small baitfish, aquatic nymphs, and even rodents.

—Max Inchausti

b

: the patterns within which political, social, or administrative forces operate : customary or established practice

4

: project, plan

5

informal : something done by deceit or trickery in order to compromise or frame someone

But the armed robbery was a setup orchestrated by an undercover officer …

—Baltimore Sun

6

a

: a camera position from which a scene is filmed

also : the footage taken from one camera position

… changing between a half-dozen equally extravagant outfits and utilizing constantly shifting camera setups.

—Paul A. Thompson

b

: the final arrangement of the scenery and properties for a scene of a theatrical or cinematic production

7

a

: a table setting

b

: glass, ice, and mixer served to patrons who supply their own liquor

8

a

: carriage of the body

especially : erect and soldierly bearing

b

: constitution, makeup

the patient's mental setup

set up

2 of 2

verb

set up; setting up; sets up

transitive verb

1

a

: to raise to and place in a high position

set up a flag/sail

b

: to place in view : post

set up a lawn sign

c

: to put forward (something, such as a plan) for acceptance

2

a

: to place upright : erect

… a beautiful stretch of white sand with plenty of chairs and umbrellas set up.

—Devorah Lev-Tov

b

: to assemble the parts of and erect in position

set up a tent

c

: to put (a machine) in readiness or adjustment for an operation

One officer told him he wasn't allowed to set up the sound equipment.

—Ana Vanessa Herrero and Samantha Schmidt

3

a

: cause, create

set up a clamor

b

: to create and prepare for use : bring about

set up accounts online

Mexico's free trade agreements and economic alliances make the country an attractive location for setting up manufacturing operations.

—Lori Ann LaRocco

4

a

: to place in power or in office

set up the general as dictator

b

: to cause (someone) to meet a person in order to potentially start a romantic relationship

She was always setting her brother up with her friends.

They were set up on a date through a mutual friend.

—Clare Mulroy

5

a

: to raise from depression : elate, gratify

b

: to make proud or vain

6

a

: to put forward or extol as a model

b

: to claim oneself to be

sets himself up as an authority

7

: found, inaugurate

set up a school

8

: to make carefully worked out plans for

set up a bank robbery

9

a

: to put in a compromising or dangerous position usually by trickery or deceit

b

: frame sense 3

claims she was set up

10

a

: to provide with means of making a living

That degree set me up for life.

also : to establish (oneself) in a business

She set herself up as a wedding planner.

b

: to bring or restore to normal health

c

: to cause (one) to take on a soldierly or athletic appearance especially through drill

11

sports : to execute (one or more plays) in preparation for scoring

… set up his 15-yard TD run … with a 28-yard pass …

—Patrick Z. McGavin

12

: to erect (a perpendicular or a figure) on a base in a drawing

13

a

: to make taut (a stay or hawser)

b

: to tighten firmly

14

informal + dated

a

: to pay for (drinks)

b

: to treat (someone) to something

intransitive verb

1

: to prepare for something especially by putting things where they need to be

time to set up for the party

2

: to begin business

… amateurs could … set up in business for themselves.

—Barbara Holland

3

: to make pretensions

… has never set up to be a wise man …

—Thomas Rogers

4

: to become firm

… the cake will start to set up in the fridge after about one hour …

—Nicole McLaughlin

Phrases

set up housekeeping

: to establish one's living quarters

… one of those early signs of spring is the return of a pair of wood ducks determined to set up housekeeping in one of the two nesting boxes we erected years ago.

—Tom Tatum

set up shop

: to start a business or activity in a particular place

… the latest in a line of big companies … that have set up shop in the city.

—Ellen McGirt

Synonyms of setup

Noun

• layout
• formation
• format

Verb

• put
• situate
• place
• position
• locate

Examples of setup in a Sentence

Noun

Setup of the new software is a breeze.

It took me a while to learn the setup of the office's filing system.

We had a great setup. On my days off, my wife would work from home while I took care of the kids.

The software makes it easy to create custom setups.

Verb

set up tables in the living room for the party

set up a scholarship fund for deserving students from the inner city

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The whole setup is an ideal literary playground for Lockhart, who weaves wealth, intrigue, and the power of teen emotions into an immersive and atmospheric narrative. —Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025

The setup is pretty ideal for fans, who can catch multiple games in a single day without having to travel between different stadiums. —Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 3 Nov. 2025

Verb

Authorities are now hoping to cut down on smoking everywhere across the archipelago, with plans to set up anti-smoking clinics that will offer medication to help people quit tobacco products. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025

For example, state parties now get major influxes of cash, to the tune of a million dollars a month, to hire staff, set up programs, and fortify their ranks. —Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 8a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for setup

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

setup

1 of 2 noun

set·​up ˈset-ˌəp 

: the way in which something is set up : organization, arrangement

set up

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)set-ˈəp

1

: to place in position

set up a target

2

a

: erect entry 2 sense 1

set up a building

b

: to assemble the parts of

set up a machine

3

: to cause to happen

the wind sets up a humming in the wires

4

: to put in operation : found, inaugurate

set up a school

5

: to put in operation as a way of living

set up housekeeping