setup

1 of 2

noun

set·​up ˈset-ˌəp How to pronounce setup (audio)
1
a
: carriage of the body
especially : erect and soldierly bearing
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
8
: something done by deceit or trickery in order to compromise or frame someone

set up

2 of 2

verb

set up; setting up; sets 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
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
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
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 manThomas Rogers
4
: to become firm
Phrases
set up housekeeping
: to establish one's living quarters
set up shop
: to start a business or activity in a particular place

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
Despite going for some pretty broad tropes in the setup, Calderón Kellett is proving herself worthy of carrying the late master’s torch into the realm of theater. Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Mar. 2024 Even the staircases can be placed in a few different spots to change the setup. Maya Polton, Parents, 23 Mar. 2024 The setup was endearingly basic: Guests wore only swimsuits and slept by the beach in US Army surplus canvas tents, sharing a single shower. Tony Perrottet, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2024 Give or take a few details, this is the exact same setup as the original game and will feel instantly familiar to anyone who played this before. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2024 The earbuds offer high-quality sound, easy setup, 24-hour battery life, and voice control with Siri. Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 Mohr also communicated with Ligier’s team throughout the leadup and race at Sebring, hoping to collect data from different setups that might help in future competition. Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024 The low satire, mostly in the setup, is the more successful tactic. Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Many of the companies embraced the idea of a permitting process, despite city officials suggesting new requirements like insurance policies and new fees for things like equipment setup. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2024
Verb
His allies have set up a new joint fundraising committee, called the Trump 47 Committee. Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024 The government would also set up special Haredi battalions in the IDF and positions in the country’s emergency services and government offices, as well as ensure that Haredi men who do not enlist do not face criminal sanctions. Mick Krever, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024 Another spring snowstorm is setting up for the northern plains on Sunday and into early next week. Daniel Amarante, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2024 The Jayhawks set up many of those 3s by drawing the defense inside and kicking out to shooters. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2024 Schwalb broached setting up a meeting with the mayor, thecouncil chairman and Monumental representative Abby Blomstrom, the company’s general counsel — not to debate the legal dispute over ending the lease, but to restart negotiations. Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 Thai authorities plan to set up a promotional and funding agency spanning multiple forms of culture, including film, music, food and Muay Thai boxing. Patrick Frater, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024 Sievers said the founders of Renew Energy were visionary in setting up a plant for fractioning, but were ahead of their time. Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 The film is being released next month by Universal Pictures, having initially been set up at Netflix. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'setup.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of setup was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near setup

Cite this Entry

“Setup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/setup. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

setup

1 of 2 noun
set·​up ˈset-ˌəp How to pronounce setup (audio)
: the way in which something is set up : organization, arrangement

set up

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)set-ˈəp
1
: to place in position
set up a target
2
a
: erect entry 2 sense 1
set up a building
b
: to assemble the parts of
set up a machine
3
: to cause to happen
the wind sets up a humming in the wires
4
: to put in operation : found, inaugurate
set up a school
5
: to put in operation as a way of living
set up housekeeping

More from Merriam-Webster on setup

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