setout

1 of 2

noun

set·​out ˈset-ˌau̇t 

1

a(1)

: array, display

(2)

: arrangement, layout

b

: buffet, spread

c

: turnout sense 5

2

: party, entertainment

3

: beginning, outset

set out

2 of 2

verb

set out; setting out; sets out

transitive verb

1

a

: to arrange and present graphically or systematically

b

: to mark out (something, such as a design) : lay out the plan of

2

: to state, describe, or recite at length

… distributed copies of a pamphlet setting out his ideas in full …

—S. F. Mason

3

: to begin with a definite purpose : intend, undertake

intransitive verb

: to start out on a course, a journey, or a career

set out across the country

Synonyms of setout

Noun

• layout
• formation
• format

Verb

• describe
• portray
• depict

Examples of setout in a Sentence

Noun

the setout of the stations at the polling place was a little confusing

Verb

in his inaugural address, the president set out his vision for the nation over the next four years

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

View gallery - 4 images Mad-as-a-hatter British inventor Colin Furze recently set out to create a real-life version of the hoverboard from Back to the Future II. —Omar Kardoudi march 22, New Atlas, 22 Mar. 2026

The separate narco-trafficking investigations, based out of New York's Southern and Eastern districts, did not set out to target Petro initially, but his name has come up during the course of both probes, one of the sources said. —Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026

Along with the traditional sofreyé haft seen, a spread of items set out to welcome the new year, this year’s event encouraged people to honor the lives of protesters killed by placing flowers on a map of Iran. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026

John Aujay set out for what was meant to be a routine training run at the Devil’s Punchbowl—a high-desert nature preserve where the rugged terrain of the San Gabriel Mountains meets the arid edge of the Mojave Desert. —Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 21 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for setout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

set out

verb

1

: to begin with a definite purpose : undertake

deliberately set out to win

2

: to start out on a course, a journey, or a career

set out to be a doctor

set out for Spain