setting

American  

[set-ing] / ˈsɛt ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that sets.

2. the surroundings or environment of anything.

   The garden was a perfect setting for the house.

3. the mounting in which a jewel is set.

4. a group of all the articles, as of china, silver, or glass, required for setting a table or a single place at a table.

5. the locale or period in which the action of a novel, play, film, etc., takes place.

   The setting of this story is Verona in the 15th century.

6. Also called stage setting.  Also called stage set.  the scenery and other properties used in a dramatic performance.

7. Music.

   1. a piece of music composed for certain words.

   2. a piece of music composed for a particular medium, or arranged for other than the original medium.

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setting British  

/ ˈsɛtɪŋ /

noun

1. the surroundings in which something is set; scene

2. the scenery, properties, or background, used to create the location for a stage play, film, etc

3. music a composition consisting of a certain text and music provided or arranged for it

4. the metal mounting and surround of a gem

   diamonds in an antique gold setting

5. the tableware, cutlery, etc, for a single place at table

6. any of a series of points on a scale or dial that can be selected to control the level as of temperature, speed, etc, at which a machine functions

7. a clutch of eggs in a bird's nest, esp a clutch of hen's eggs

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Related Words

See environment.

Other Word Forms

• nonsetting adjective
• unsetting adjective

Etymology

Origin of setting

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English; see origin at set, -ing ¹

Explanation

A setting is where something is set, or placed. If you want to propose to your beloved, try to choose a romantic setting. To set means to put in place, so a setting is a placement. If you are a jeweler, you will spend a lot of time making silver and gold settings for precious stones. Setting can also mean context. If you tell me that you spent the whole weekend cooing and clucking, before I decide that you’re crazy, you might explain to me that the setting of that clucking was the birth of all the little chicks on your friend’s farm.

Example Sentences

But to the west, where the setting sun made the Nile glow orange, the island seemed as it once was.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

U.S. stock futures rise as President Trump’s cease-fire extension was setting stocks up for a rebound after two straight days of declines.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

But Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar was called for hooking Byfield from behind on the play, setting up a penalty shot.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

I’m setting up automatic monthly transfers into a high-yield savings account equal to the amount I saved on my premiums after taking a higher deductible.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

Besides Sally Gooden, there was one other thing we had around our farm that I thought we could surely do without—that was setting hens.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

• ambience
• backdrop
• context
• environment
• framework
• locale
• location
• site
• surroundings