Showing results for "setting"

• present participle of set.

setting

American  

[set-ing] / ˈsɛt ɪŋ /

noun

settings plural

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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Synonym Usage

See environment.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonsetting
  adjective
• unsetting
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• settings
  plural

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

See Examples For:

setting settings

A third was hit on Friday, setting off this weekend’s escalation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

The Backrooms are an internet-created fictional setting imagined as an infinite network of empty, fluorescent-lit rooms.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026

Two of them are accused of setting off fireworks.

From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026

However, one of the experts acknowledged that conducting the ideal study in a mental health ward setting would be challenging.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

“At each ring setting, the wiring inside the rotor changes,” Beryl says.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

According to TikTok’s website, minors’ accounts are set to “private” by default, though they can adjust their settings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

In some settings, they can help remove undesirable substances.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026

Young people aged 18-25 starting university or moving into residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026 are also eligible.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

During our Zoom, with the background carefully faded behind her wavy blond bob, she promises that she doesn’t just copy and paste her subjects and settings from what sells.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

The spies had used the same settings for all twenty-eight messages.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Related Words

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