Top Definitions
Quiz
Related Content
More About Set Up
Examples
British
Idioms And Phrases

setup

[ set-uhp ]

/ ˈsɛtˌʌp /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: setup / set-ups on Thesaurus.com

noun

organization; arrangement.

an act or instance of setting up or getting ready: The setup of the lights and camera took most of the morning.

the carriage of the body; bearing.

a camera position, as for a particular shot.

everything required for an alcoholic drink except the liquor, as a glass, ice, and soda water, as served to patrons who provide their own liquor.

Informal.

an undertaking or contest deliberately made easy.
a match or game arranged with an opponent who can be defeated without risk or effort.
an opponent easy to defeat.

Sports.

a shot or play that results in a puck, shuttlecock, ball, or balls being so positioned as to provide a player with an easy opportunity for a winning shot: a playmaker who excels in setups.
the position of such a puck, ball, etc.: a setup close to and to the left of the goalkeeper.
the puck, ball, etc., itself: The wing banged the setup into the goal.

an arrangement of all the tools, parts, apparatus, etc., necessary for any of various specific jobs or purposes.

the equipment or items necessary for a particular activity or period; kit: Each student gets a weekly setup of clean blankets, sheets, and towels.

a plan or projected course of action.

a prearranged situation or circumstance, usually created to fool or trap someone; trick; scheme.

VIDEO FOR SETUP

Is It "Setup" Or "Set Up"?

Is the term setup one word or two? Does anyone know? Help!

MORE VIDEOS FROM DICTIONARY.COM

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of setup

First recorded in 1600–10; noun use of verb phrase set up

usage note for setup

See login.

Other definitions for setup (2 of 2)

set-up

[ set-uhp ]

/ ˈsɛtˌʌp /

noun

Surveying.

station (def. 14a).
a surveying instrument precisely positioned for observations from a station.
a gap between the end of a chain or tape being used for a measurement and the point toward which it is laid.

setting-up exercise.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT SET UP

What is a basic definition of setup?

A setup is an arrangement of something. A setup is also an act or instance of getting things ready. A situation designed to trick or trap someone is also called a setup. The word setup has several other senses as a noun.

When you say that you like someone’s setup, you like the way they have arranged or organized things, such as how you organized your bedroom. When a person is talking about a setup, they usually refer to furniture or equipment, such as that new gaming computer, headset, and controller you’ve been dreaming about. This sense of setup is most often used informally.

Used in a sentence: I bought a new desk chair to improve my home office setup.

An act of organizing things up or getting a place ready is also called a setup.

Real-life examples: Plays and theatre performances involve a lengthy setup by the crew to get everything ready. A new computer often has to perform an initial setup during which it installs the operating software and other programs before you can use it.
Used in a sentence: I helped with the setup of the circus tent this morning.

Setup can also mean a trap or a situation designed to ensnare or fool someone.

Real-life examples: Police often create setups designed to catch criminals committing crimes or trick them into confessing into hidden microphones. Pranksters and comedy shows often film people who are fooled by silly setups.
Used in a sentence: I figured out that the meeting was a setup and managed to get out of there before the cops showed up.

Where does setup come from?

The first records of setup come from around 1600. It is a noun formed from the verb phrase to set up.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to setup?

setups (plural noun)

What are some synonyms for setup?

What are some words that share a root or word element with setup?

set
up

What are some words that often get used in discussing setup?

How is setup used in real life?

Setup is a common word most often used to mean an arrangement.

I love my current living room setup (turned 1st floor into a bar) but it's days like today that make me come to the realization that I need a tv outside in my backyard.

— Rich Donnelly (@whec_rdonnelly) September 12, 2020

You don't need a fancy setup to make music. You can use your phone or laptop and that's enough.

— 13Conor 👽🪐💫 (@prodby13Conor) October 3, 2020

It very well could be the Seahawks were just fooled by the Rams having two returners deep. That was a really clever setup.

— Jayson Jenks (@JaysonJenks) October 19, 2014

Try using setup!

Is setup used correctly in the following sentence?

We spent hours moving furniture around until we finally made a bedroom setup that we both liked.

How to use setup in a sentence

He speaks in a whisper, flanked by the two locals who set up the meeting.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Extra security was also set up along the lines to monitor other signs of potential sabotage.
Italy’s Terror on the Tracks|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Ovens using gas cylinders were set up to make bread under bridges, and nursing stations appeared, offering medicines,” he writes.
How Pope Francis Became the World’s BFF|Jason Berry|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A cynic might say that the report is like the movie Clue, perfectly set up for a multiplicity of endings.
New York’s Conservative Fracking Ban|Jay Michaelson|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

On the weekends the birds and stray cats keep the artists company as they set up their displays.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The scarlet calico canopy was again set up over the bed, and the woven cradle, on its red manzanita frame, stood near.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
The king's statue was again set up in Guild hall, London, and the states arms taken down.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
While the majority pulled in one way there was an active minority that wished the Nana to set up an independent kingdom.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
And now notice the peculiar relation that is set up between the monopolist's production and the satisfaction of human wants.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
He hath chosen strong wood, and that will not rot: the skilful workman seeketh how he may set up an idol that may not be moved.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

British Dictionary definitions for setup

set up

verb (adverb, mainly tr)

(also intr) to put into a position of power, etc

(also intr) to begin or enable (someone) to begin (a new venture), as by acquiring or providing means, equipment, etc

to build or constructto set up a shed

to raise, cause, or produceto set up a wail

to advance or proposeto set up a theory

to restore the health ofthe sea air will set you up again

to establish (a record)

informal to cause (a person) to be blamed, accused, etc

informal

to provide (drinks, etc) forset 'em up, Joe!
to pay for the drinks ofI'll set up the next round

printing another term for set 1 (def. 12)

noun setup

informal the way in which anything is organized or arranged

slang an event the result of which is prearrangedit's a setup

a prepared arrangement of materials, machines, etc, for a job or undertaking

a station at which a surveying instrument, esp a theodolite, is set up

films the position of the camera, microphones, and performers at the beginning of a scene

adjective set-up

physically well-built

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with setup

set up

1

Place in an upright position, as in I keep setting up this lamp but it won't stay up. [c. 1200]

2

Elevate, raise; also, put in a position of authority or power, as in They set him up as their leader. [Late 1300s]

3

Put oneself forward, claim to be, as in He set himself up as an authority on the banking system. [Mid-1800s]

4

Assemble, erect, make ready for use, as in They set up the sound system last night. [c. 1200]

5

Establish, found, as in They set up a new charity for the homeless. [Early 1400s]

6

Establish in business by providing capital or other backing, as in His father set her up in a new dental practice. [First half of 1500s]

7

Treat someone to drinks, pay for drinks, as in Please let us set you up tonight. [Colloquial; late 1800s]

8

Stimulate or exhilarate, as in That victory really set up our team. [c. 1600]

9

Lay plans for, as in I think they set up the kidnapping months ago. [First half of 1900s]

10

Prepare someone for a deception or trickery or joke, as in They set up their victim for the usual real estate scam, or Her friends set her up so that she was the only person in costume. [Mid-1900s]

11

Cause, bring about, as in The new taxes set up howls of protest. [Mid-1800s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.