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

• 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

Alcaraz, 22, came from two sets down to beat Sinner, 24, in the Roland Garros final, and the Italian returned the favor by beating the Spaniard in four sets in the Wimbledon final. —Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025

The agreement has been set down only in a 3 1/2 joint statement that left room for further talks on key issues. —David McHugh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025

Meanwhile, Sylvia’s relationship with Carabinieri captain Giovanni Riva deepens, but the finalization of Riva’s divorce and his desire to set down roots in Umbria threatens Sylvia’s sense of independence. —Peter White, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025

Back in June, Alcaraz mounted a historic comeback after being two sets down and facing three championship points against Sinner in one of the greatest men’s French Open finals ever. —Julia Andersen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025

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