set piece
noun
plural set pieces
1
a
: a composition (as in literature, art, or music) executed in a fixed or ideal form often with studied artistry and brilliant effect
b
: a scene, depiction, speech, or event that is obviously designed to have an imposing effect
2
: a realistic piece of stage scenery standing by itself
3
: a precisely planned and conducted military operation
an offensive set piece that caught the enemy off guard
4
sports
: a carefully planned sequence of movements performed by the members of a team (as in soccer)
A set piece can be used on either a direct or indirect type of [free] kick, providing one of the few times during the game that a team can execute something that it may have spent hours practicing.—
Doug Roberson
Doug Roberson
Examples of set piece in a Sentence
a movie with some lovely set pieces
She scored with a set piece.
Recent Examples on the Web
Were there any set pieces that proved especially difficult or more taxing?
—Gerrad Hall, EW.com, 16 May 2024
In one stunning set piece, Bupe’s smartphone-shot abuse testimony is wrested and renarrated by Shula before returning to its original teller, the victims’ testimonies firmly unified by this alternation.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 May 2024
New outfits, set pieces and choreography were also present.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 9 May 2024
Every character gets their own unique set piece featuring a figure from their tarot card reading.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2024
For context, Sporting has scored eight goals from set pieces in each of the last three seasons.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2024
To say much more would spoil the shiny, chrome fun of the lengthy set piece, which needs to be seen to be believed — even, apparently, for the actors who took part in the filming of it.
—EW.com, 1 May 2024
The best thing about 'The Fall Guy' is Gosling and Blunt
Leitch, a former stuntman, brings an obviously genuine love for high-wire set pieces to life.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 1 May 2024
Still, Munich’s many suspense and action set pieces drive the story along with undeniable tension.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2024
Gerrad Hall, EW.com, 16 May 2024
In one stunning set piece, Bupe’s smartphone-shot abuse testimony is wrested and renarrated by Shula before returning to its original teller, the victims’ testimonies firmly unified by this alternation.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 May 2024
New outfits, set pieces and choreography were also present.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 9 May 2024
Every character gets their own unique set piece featuring a figure from their tarot card reading.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2024
For context, Sporting has scored eight goals from set pieces in each of the last three seasons.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2024
To say much more would spoil the shiny, chrome fun of the lengthy set piece, which needs to be seen to be believed — even, apparently, for the actors who took part in the filming of it.
—EW.com, 1 May 2024
The best thing about 'The Fall Guy' is Gosling and Blunt
Leitch, a former stuntman, brings an obviously genuine love for high-wire set pieces to life.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 1 May 2024
Still, Munich’s many suspense and action set pieces drive the story along with undeniable tension.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'set piece.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near set piece
Cite this Entry
“Set piece.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20piece. Accessed 19 May. 2024.
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