setup

American  

[set-uhp] / ˈsɛtˌʌp /

noun

1. organization; arrangement.

2. an act or instance of setting up or getting ready.

   The setup of the lights and camera took most of the morning.

3. the carriage of the body; bearing.

4. a camera position, as for a particular shot.

5. 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.

6. Informal.

   1. an undertaking or contest deliberately made easy.

   2. a match or game arranged with an opponent who can be defeated without risk or effort.

   3. an opponent easy to defeat.

7. Sports.

   1. 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.

   2. the position of such a puck, ball, etc..

      a setup close to and to the left of the goalkeeper.

   3. the puck, ball, etc., itself.

      The wing banged the setup into the goal.

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

9. the equipment or items necessary for a particular activity or period; kit.

   Each student gets a weekly setup of clean blankets, sheets, and towels.

10. a plan or projected course of action.

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

---

Usage

See login.

Etymology

Origin of setup

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

Example Sentences

Explaining the setup further, Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management, wrote on his Substack that those triple-leverage flows are setting up for a “bar fight.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

The setup has already drawn criticism for its environmental impact, requiring teams and fans to fly across the continent, as opposed to previous World Cups that have taken place within a country.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

In that setup, tech companies effectively give away AI, turning it into a loss-making side hustle with a chance to turn a profit eventually.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

That setup has changed the calculus for investors.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

Ben’s hamster was cute and had an incredible setup with a big cage and all kinds of connecting plastic tubes and hideouts.

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings

Related Words

• composition
• foundation
• set-up
• structure
• system