setup

noun set·up \ ˈset-ˌəp \

|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Examples: setup in a Sentence

Editor's Note: setup vs. set-up vs. set up

Definition of setup

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

See setup defined for English-language learners

See setup defined for kids

Examples of setup in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of setup from the Web

Even though the four-class tournament was established in 1998 and a generation of players knows nothing but the current setup, a return to the single-class tourney came in third on the list with 56 votes.

— kyle neddenriep, Indianapolis Star, "What would you change if you were IHSAA commissioner for a day?," 30 June 2018
Vazquez is a shining example of Real Madrid’s youth setup, spending time with the club’s ‘B’ and ‘C’ teams before forcing his way into the Real Madrid squad.

— SI.com, "New Arsenal Manager Unai Emery Eyes Move for Real Madrid Star Lucas Vazquez as Summer Rebuild Begins," 27 June 2018
However, one of the effects of this setup is that AT&T’s facilities reportedly can be used to siphon foreign packets into the hands of the NSA as the data passes through.

— cyrus farivar, Ars Technica, "Meet the 8 spooky AT&T buildings that almost certainly also serve the NSA," 25 June 2018
Most of all, though, Fallen Kingdom understands the moral weight of the setup it’s been handed by the previous five movies.

— alissa wilkinson, Vox, "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is the feel-bad blockbuster of the summer," 20 June 2018
Doesn't that seem like a little bit of a setup to you, Joe?

— Fox News, "Is it time for Mueller to wrap up his investigation?," 3 June 2018
The absurdity of that setup can feel curiously at odds with the sense of realism that infuses much of the play, as Sam’s friends and fans come around to hang out and question and cajole him.

— james hebert, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Cygnet's rap-informed 'The Wind and the Breeze' finds meditative rhythms," 20 May 2018
One of the virtues of the setup, the CEO points out, is its versatility.

— nicole phelps, Vogue, "A Genius Idea: Moncler’s Designer Collaboration Series Is Custom Made for the Digital Age," 14 May 2018
We’re given only a few minutes of setup before we’re thrown right into it.

— katie walsh, kansascity, "In ‘Breaking In,’ Gabrielle Union is one fierce mama | The Kansas City Star," 10 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'setup.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

setup vs. set-up vs. set up

The noun setup is usually styled as a solid compound (that is, as a single word) in American English and as a hyphenated compound (set-up) in British English. The noun may be used attributively (that is, as an adjective) in such phrases as setup man (“someone who makes machine tool adjustments”) and setup tool (“software that facilitates the installation of a computer program”). The verb set up, on the other hand, is usually found as an open compound (two words, no hyphen) in both American and British English.

First Known Use of setup

1890

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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setup Synonyms

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

set up

verb

Definition of set 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 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

— set up housekeeping

: to establish one's living quarters

— set up shop

: to start a business or activity in a particular place

See set up defined for kids

Examples of set up in a Sentence

set up tables in the living room for the party
set up a scholarship fund for deserving students from the inner city

Recent Examples of set up from the Web

Not all scouting trips involve setting up camp in a forest near a lake.

— jennifer johnson, chicagotribune.com, "'High adventure' trip takes Park Ridge Boy Scout troop into the mountains and glaciers of Iceland," 3 July 2018
Another step could be to set up a special commission to fix the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, the deal that ended the cold war 30 years ago but now looks to be on the critical list.

— fred weir, The Christian Science Monitor, "Upcoming Trump-Putin summit gives Russians hope for US thaw," 3 July 2018
The Field Day requires radio operators to set up and operate for 24 hours no matter the weather.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "Amateur Radio Operators Practice For Emergencies," 3 July 2018
The sudden premium on sports data is likely to set up an array of conflicts in the betting industry that have been mostly unknown in the United States.

— New York Times, "When Sports Betting Is Legal, the Value of Game Data Soars," 2 July 2018
Ten people who helped set up the banner were later arrested, according to police.

— kate morrissey, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Ten arrested in protest over Operation Streamline and family separation," 2 July 2018
Pruitt has been swamped in ethics allegations, prompting him to set up a legal defense fund.

— kevin bogardus, Scientific American, "Ethics Investigation into EPA Head Scott Pruitt Widens," 2 July 2018
The detective repeatedly called Shepard to set up a time but never heard from her, according to the report.

— perry vandell, azcentral, "Two connected to 2016 Surprise double homicide await trial after multistate manhunt," 2 July 2018
Both goals needed one more pass to set up the crucial cross towards goal.

— andrew joseph, For The Win, "Belgium's last-minute goal was eerily similar to Landon Donovan's 2010 heroics," 2 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'set up.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of set up

13th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

set up Synonyms

Synonyms

assemble, build, confect, construct, erect, fabricate, make, make up, piece, put up, raise, rear;

Antonyms

demount, disassemble, dismantle, dismember, knock down, strike, take down, tear down;

Near Antonyms

demolish, destroy, devastate, flatten, level, pull down, pulverize, raze, ruin, ruinate, shatter, smash, wreck;

blow up, explode;

detach, disengage;

disconnect, disjoin, disunite, divide, separate;

prefabricate;

begin, coin, create, generate, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, invent, originate;

constitute, establish, father, found, institute, organize;

conceive, concoct, contrive, cook (up), design, devise, imagine, think (up);

reassemble, rebuild, reconstruct, redevelop, retrofit;

jerry-build, rig (up), throw up;

combine, unite;

Phrases

put together;

SETUP Defined for English Language Learners

setup

noun

Definition of setup for English Language Learners

: the process of making something (such as a machine or computer program) ready to be used
: the way that something is done or organized
: a situation in which someone is deliberately put in a bad position or made to look guilty