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

With a new generation setting their sights on some of the sport's biggest stages, could Northern Ireland produce the next big wrestling star?

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

However, Purser cautioned that setting up an effective evaluator system won’t be sufficient to catch all AI threats, as unforeseen risks will inevitably emerge.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026

For testing, I kept the aperture setting on Auto.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026

When “NAZA” premiered at the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 10, the documentary received a 25-minute standing ovation, setting a festival record.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

Their jaws were just about setting on the ground.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney

The EU wants children's accounts to remain private, with "risky settings" disabled by default and unknown users prevented from contacting minors.

From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026

Possible settings include submarines, disaster areas, and eventually human settlements on the moon or Mars.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 13, 2026

The UK needs new regulations for AI products used in the NHS and other healthcare settings, says Britain's industry watchdog.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

Mr. Ehrlich has recorded them in a variety of settings featuring saxophones, clarinets and flutes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

“You can change the settings on your newsfeed so you don’t see stuff like this, you know.”

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste

Related Words

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