setting

[set-ing]

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.

setting

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• nonsetting adjective
• unsetting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of setting¹

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

Synonym Study

See environment.

Example Sentences

Responders reached the creek bed Wednesday and “hit it pretty hard today,” Meris said, setting up a safety zone around the site.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Most notably, she will be able to sue employers on significant legal questions, potentially setting the stage for new precedents on civil-rights law.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The payments ranged from $1,500 for setting fire to a post office to $3,000 for a bank.

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One form, known as perfectionistic striving, focuses on setting more ambitious personal goals.

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Instead, it reiterated that the suit was “baseless,” noting that federal authorities charged Jonathan Rinderknecht with intentionally setting the Lachman fire.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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