set-in
adjective
made separately and placed within another unit.
set-in
American
[set-in]
/ ˈsɛtˌɪn /
adjective
set in
British
verb
-
to become established
the winter has set in
-
(of wind) to blow or (of current) to move towards shore
adjective
set in
Idioms
-
Insert, put in, as in I still have to set in the sleeves and then the sweater will be done . [Late 1300s]
-
Begin to happen or become apparent, as in Darkness was setting in as I left . [c. 1700]
-
Move toward the shore, said of wind or water, as in The tide sets in very quickly here . [Early 1700s]
Etymology
Origin of set-in
First recorded in 1525–35; adj. use of verb phrase set in
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“As a fisher that chases fish, it is really hard to go back to a set-in position just hoping the fish come to you. That’s a real adjustment.”
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 6, 2023
This technique might do the trick on its own, but it also doubles as a pre-treatment for set-in stains on removable cushion covers that need to head to the laundry room.
From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2022
He also noted that the blue 42 on the back of the jerseys was much bolder than average and that there was a “discernible tailoring modification” by using raglan sleeves instead of set-in sleeves.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2019
Take note: Her knee-covering straight skirts delivered a precise fit, due to the set-in waistband and back center zipper in most styles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2015
In general the strongest flood does not set-in till Midsummer.
From Lachesis Lapponica A Tour in Lapland, Volume 1 by Carl von Linn?
Ultimately, the current and upcoming projects that were set in motion to address seismic safety are anticipated to cost more than $2 billion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026
Sabalenka led 3-0 in the deciding set in Melbourne but eventually fell to a third defeat in her past four Grand Slam finals.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
To be sure, China’s trajectory was set in motion decades before 9/11 when it began economic liberalization in 1978.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
Copernicus also said that August "marked the end of western Europe's warmest summer" that surpassed the long-standing record set in 2003.
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
He was tall enough to scrape the door’s lintel, his slate-blue eyes set in a long, lean face.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
