set down

verb

set down; setting down; sets down
Synonyms of set downnext

transitive verb

1
: to cause to sit down : seat
2
: to place at rest on a surface or on the ground
3
: to suspend (a jockey) from racing
4
: to cause or allow to get off a vehicle : deliver
5
: to land (an airplane) on the ground or water
6
a
: ordain, establish
b
: to put in writing
7
a
: regard, consider
set him down as a liar
b
: attribute

Synonyms

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Examples of set down in a Sentence

set the toddler down in her seat set down the names of those in attendance
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When the federal government switched the Grand Calumet’s flow from west to east in the 1870s, the Hammond Packing Company, which pioneered refrigeration, and myriad other heavy industries rapidly set down roots after that, Aguilar said. — Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 22 July 2025 Time of their last match, an instant classic in the Roland Garros final where Alcaraz roared back from two sets down to defend his title. — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025 Cease got right back to being nasty, setting down the next four batters before his first pitch to Eugenio Suarez, a slider hung belt-high on the outer portion of the plate, was hit high and landed just beyond the left field wall. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2025 The Padres threatened again in the eighth before Dodgers left-hander Tanner Scott set down the middle of the order in order in the ninth. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for set down

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of set down was in the 15th century

Rhymes for set down

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Browse Nearby Words

set by
set down
Sète
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Cite this Entry

“Set down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20down. Accessed 13 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

set down

verb
1
: to cause to sit down : seat
2
: to place at rest on a surface or on the ground
3
: to land (an airplane) on the ground or water
4
: establish sense 2
the government set down laws
5
: to put in writing

More from Merriam-Webster on set down

Nglish: Translation of set down for Spanish Speakers

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