setout

1 of 2

noun

set·​out ˈset-ˌau̇t How to pronounce setout (audio)
Synonyms of setoutnext

set out

2 of 2

verb

set out; setting out; sets out

transitive verb

1
a
: to arrange and present graphically or systematically
b
: to mark out (something, such as a design) : lay out the plan of
2
: to state, describe, or recite at length
… distributed copies of a pamphlet setting out his ideas in full …S. F. Mason
3
: to begin with a definite purpose : intend, undertake

intransitive verb

: to start out on a course, a journey, or a career
set out across the country

Examples of setout in a Sentence

Noun the setout of the stations at the polling place was a little confusing Verb in his inaugural address, the president set out his vision for the nation over the next four years
Recent Examples on the Web
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Verb
To this end, the team decided to set out to find a path to steer the plastic breakdown process towards the exact molecules wanted. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 6 June 2026 One of the earliest sightings was captured by photographer John Clement, glowing in the skies over the city of Kennewick, Washington, on June 2, who had set out to capture a striking conjunction of Venus and Jupiter, which had occurred earlier that evening. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 5 June 2026 So, on the evening of June 1, neighbors gathered to show support for her family by setting out lights. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026 By Anthony Hughes and Loren Grush, Bloomberg SpaceX set out its IPO pitch to retail investors early on Thursday with a video in which Chief Financial Officer Bret Johnsen joins the dots between the company’s rocket, satellite and AI businesses. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for setout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of setout was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Setout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/setout. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

set out

verb
1
: to begin with a definite purpose : undertake
deliberately set out to win
2
: to start out on a course, a journey, or a career
set out to be a doctor
set out for Spain
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