setup

noun

set·up | \ ˈset-ˌəp

Definition of setup

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : carriage of the body especially : erect and soldierly bearing

b : constitution, makeup

2a : 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

3a : a table setting

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

4a : 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

5a : 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

6a : 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

verb

set up; setting up; sets up

Definition of set up (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

2a : 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

3a : cause, create set up a clamor

b : bring about

4 : to place in power or in office set up the general as dictator

5a : to raise from depression : elate, gratify

b : to make proud or vain

6a : to put forward or extol as a model

b : to claim oneself to be sets himself up as an authority

7 : found, inaugurate

8a : 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

10a : to make taut (a stay or hawser)

b : to tighten firmly

11 : to make carefully worked out plans for set up a bank robbery

12a : to pay for (drinks)

b : to treat (someone) to something

13a : 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

set up housekeeping

: to establish one's living quarters

set up shop

: to start a business or activity in a particular place

Synonyms Setup vs. Set-Up vs. Set Up More Example Sentences Learn More about setup

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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.

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

The setup is similar to how Will and Harry will likely function when William is the Prince of Wales. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "What It Really Means that Prince Harry and Prince William's Royal Households Are Splitting," 15 Mar. 2019 Bradley and Hirano, who will open the season as setup men, had three saves apiece last year. — Jack Magruder, The Seattle Times, "Greg Holland to close for Diamondbacks," 25 Mar. 2019 His Harlem studio setup once included a 3D body mapping zone where his celebrity clients could be scanned so that their Levine stage costumes fit like second skins. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "Meet the Designer Behind Lady Gaga’s Mesmerizing Sci-fi Costumes," 14 Jan. 2019 Advertisers with in-house agencies increased to 64% last year from 42% a decade ago, according to a study from Forrester and the In-house Agency Forum, which represents hundreds of large brands that have their own internal agency setups. — Lara O’reilly, WSJ, "You & Mr Jones Takes Majority Stake in Internal Marketing Firm," 10 Jan. 2019 Moms and dads can adjust its height, convert its setup into a series of positions, and even reverse the seat to face in or out. — Jessica Leigh Mattern, Country Living, "Here's Where to Buy the Super-Popular Stroller Joanna Gaines Uses for Baby Crew," 21 Oct. 2018 Today, the team is testing a new iteration of its communications system, which could support 10 times as many users as its current setup. — Alex Davies, WIRED, "Inside X, the Moonshot Factory Racing to Build the Next Google," 11 July 2018 Crystal Palace have had a good recent history with bringing through academy players to their first team setup, including current first-team players Wilfred Zaha, Jonathan Williams, Aaron-Wan-Bissaka and Sully Kaikai. — SI.com, "Crystal Palace Offer Professional Contract to Highly Rated 18-Year-Old Academy Prospect," 3 July 2018 The summer stretch offers teams with wins the chance to experiment and fine-tune their setups minus the pressure of needing victories to join the playoffs. — Mike Hembree, USA TODAY, "Martin Truex Jr. excited to hit the road for NASCAR race at Sonoma," 21 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Other charities fans gave to include Sentebale, the organization Prince Harry set up to aid children with HIV, and Myna Mahila Foundation, which provides sanitary pads and education on menstrual hygiene to women in India. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Thank Fans for Donating to Charities in Their Honor Ahead of Their Baby's Arrival," 5 Apr. 2019 Variety explains that the set up will be like the Oprah Winfrey Show and Phil Donahue Show and will cover both light-hearted lifestyle topics as well as in-depth stories. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "The Real Reason Why Tamron Hall Decided to Leave the 'Today' Show and NBC," 3 Apr. 2019 According to The Sun, the A-list actors were set up by Theron's ex-fiancé Sean Penn and have been hanging out since December. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "So About the Rumor That Charlize Theron and Brad Pitt Are Dating...," 22 Jan. 2019 The delivery arrived on time, and set up was much easier this time thanks to the assistance. — Alyssa Fiorentino, House Beautiful, "Everything You Need To Know About Casper's New Hybrid Mattress," 16 Apr. 2019 Harry and Meghan's household will be set up this spring and will be based in Buckingham Palace, but until then, they are still supported by Kensington Palace. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Prince William Reportedly Stepped In to Help Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Create Their Own Royal Household," 28 Mar. 2019 Take care of our family, set up our families forever. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Unlike some athletes, former NFL star Maurice Jones-Drew doesn’t want to be a venture capitalist," 23 Oct. 2018 The 26-year-old, who was born and raised in Copenhagen, has recently set up a new atelier for her burgeoning fashion label in the city center of the Danish capital, on a quiet, affluent street near The King’s Garden. — Brooke Bobb, Vogue, "Emilie Helmstedt Is Writing Her Own Danish Fairy Tale With Whimsical Clothes," 22 Mar. 2019 Neighborhood artisans have set up stands to showcase their wares and benefit from the influx of visitors. — Klara Glowczewska, Town & Country, "Can Egypt Convince the World That It Is Starting Over?," 19 Mar. 2019

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.