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; set, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Finley said the public setting creates an unusually direct encounter as he, like many of his fellow artists, will be standing with his work.

From Los Angeles Times

In a statement, Hampshire county council said it "strived to deliver the best for all children within our educational settings".

From BBC

But they trailed by the end of the first quarter, setting the tone for a fiercely contested back-and-forth game.

From Barron's

Asian stocks rose broadly on Monday, with South Korea and Taiwan setting records, despite renewed trade uncertainty.

From The Wall Street Journal

One area where China is setting a threatening pace is the race for fusion energy, which has enormous potential as a source of electricity and for nuclear-weapons development.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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