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

• layout
• formation
• format

Verb

• put
• situate
• place
• position
• locate
• deposit

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

Even slight changes to viewing angles can have significant long-term health benefits. Options such as height, tilt, swivel and pivot can help create an optimal personalized gaming setup for each gamer, avoiding discomfort even after intense gaming sessions. —George Toh, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

The rear end is essentially a double coil setup with zero adjustability. —New Atlas, 28 June 2025

Verb

In early 1935, Jamie and a handful of assistants set up shop in Room 201 of the Public Safety Building. —Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 28 June 2025

An ambitious $250,000 goal was set, and the Arts Council planned to raise this amount to cover operating funds for the six organizations for 18 months, set up a reserve, and eliminate previous debts. —Sara Pezzoni, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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