setup

1 of 2

noun

set·​up ˈset-ˌəp 

1

a

: carriage of the body

especially : erect and soldierly bearing

b

: constitution, makeup

2

a

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

b

: the preparation and adjustment of machines for an assigned task

3

a

: a table setting

b

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

4

a

: a camera position from which a scene is filmed

also : the footage taken from one camera position

b

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

5

a

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

b

: a task or contest purposely made easy

c

: something easy to get or accomplish

d

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

e

: the execution of a planned scoring play in sports

6

a

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

b

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

7

: project, plan

8

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

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

b

: to place in view : post

c

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

2

a

: to place upright : erect

set up a statue

b

: to assemble the parts of and erect in position

c

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

3

a

: cause, create

set up a clamor

b

: bring about

4

: to place in power or in office

set up the general as dictator

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

8

a

: to provide with means of making a living

set him up in business

b

: to bring or restore to normal health

c

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

9

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

10

a

: to make taut (a stay or hawser)

b

: to tighten firmly

11

: to make carefully worked out plans for

set up a bank robbery

12

a

: to pay for (drinks)

b

: to treat (someone) to something

13

a

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

b

: frame sense 3

14

: to execute one or more plays in preparation for scoring

intransitive verb

1

: to come into active operation or use

2

: to begin business

3

: to make pretensions

has never set up to be a wise man

—Thomas Rogers

4

: to become firm

Phrases

set up housekeeping

: to establish one's living quarters

set up shop

: to start a business or activity in a particular place

Synonyms

Noun

• arrangement
• configuration
• conformation
• format
• formation
• layout
• setout

Verb

• depose
• deposit
• dispose
• emplace
• fix
• lay
• place
• position
• put
• set
• situate
• stick

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

But with the right setup and maintenance, rest assured a bountiful harvest is in store for you. —Anna Miller, Sacramento Bee, 26 Apr. 2024

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, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2024

The setup: With about six minutes left in the second period and the game tied 2-2, Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos slid a pass past Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk to defenseman Matt Dumba. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024

The handle is long and weighted for easy balance and control, and the blade setup is adjustable. —Marci Robin, Allure, 23 Apr. 2024

The hybrid-electric propulsion system, developed in partnership with German outfit Torqeedo, uses less fuel than conventional diesel-only setups. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2024

The same goes for the stage production — one of the slickest setups coming out of Music Row — with lasers, crisp animations and effects, and dramatic video walls. —Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2024

This isn’t the setup for a joke, though the bartender happens to moonlight as a comedian. —Judy Berman, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024

This setup produces 905 hp and 727 ft lbs of torque. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024

Verb

The aim of the email is to cut down on meetings in France set up by staffers to conveniently coincide with the Olympics, with the bank presumably picking up part of the bill for corporate travel. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2024

There will also be a Billie Eilish Reverb eco village set up on two locations on the main concourse of every show where fans can participate in the tour’s sustainability efforts and connect with nonprofits. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 29 Apr. 2024

During the picnic, staff set up a tent for respite from the afternoon sun and served lunch and even champagne. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024

Students first set up an encampment on University Yard on Thursday and later launched a second one on nearby H Street after the school put up barricades to restrict access. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 29 Apr. 2024

By August of 2023 the new field had been built, paid for by everything from profits from lemonade stands set up by Tommy’s friends to the generosity of philanthropists. —Johnny Dodd, Peoplemag, 28 Apr. 2024

The number of university campuses setting up tent encampments continues to grow nationally, echoing an encampment first set up at Columbia University in New York City. —Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 28 Apr. 2024

This was my way of setting up all my machines and jamming with myself for hours and hours. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2024

In another area, Jewish students set up long tables for a Passover Seder that featured photos of hostages who are believed to still remain in Gaza after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and took roughly 240 captive. —Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

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

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