1
a
: carriage of the body
especially
: erect and soldierly bearing
b
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
8
: something done by deceit or trickery in order to compromise or frame someone
set up; setting up; sets up
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
b
4
: to place in power or in office
set up the general as dictator
6
a
: to put forward or extol as a model
b
: to claim oneself to be
sets himself up as an authority
7
: found, inaugurate
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
b
14
: to execute one or more plays in preparation for scoring
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
Synonyms
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
Andrey Sergeenkov, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Parachute Cotton Boucle Throw $99 $69 Parachute This boucle throw is a great choice to add a little texture and comfort to your living room setup.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024
Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Nov. 2024
The turnover set up Love’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Reed on third-and-goal.
—Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for setup 
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Noun
Write clear setup instructions so investors can try everything themselves without technical support.
—Verb
The win for Orlando also sets up a major Tuesday night NBA Cup matchup between the Magic and the Knicks, both of whom are 3-0 in East Group A action.
—Dictionary Entries Near setup
Cite this Entry
“Setup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/setup. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
setup
1 of 2 noun
set·up
ˈset-ˌəp 
: 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
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