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setup

[ set-uhp ]

/ ˈsɛtˌʌp /

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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!

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of setup

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

usage note for setup

See login.

Words nearby setup

set-top box, set to rights, Setúbal, setula, setulose, setup, set up housekeeping, set upon, set up shop, set width, Seurat

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

How to use setup in a sentence

According to agency executives, the split ad server setups limit the companies’ abilities to completely rein in ad exposures.
‘No way to properly manage frequency on two ad servers’: The ad tech hitch in Disney’s and ViacomCBS’s streaming upfront pitches|Tim Peterson|August 27, 2020|Digiday
In their setup, a masked person in a dark room speaks into a wide laser beam.
4 reasons you shouldn’t trash your neck gaiter based on the new mask study|Jonathan Lambert|August 12, 2020|Science News
That barebones setup served the startup well, generating $13 million in revenue for 2019, according to the company.
‘Let the buyers know you exist’: How Morning Brew plans to grow brand ad dollars from its base of direct response|Max Willens|August 5, 2020|Digiday
The reason why so many DTC brands still use Shopify is because they haven’t grown to the point where they require a more unique e-commerce setup.
Why it will be hard for BigCommerce to dethrone Shopify as the DTC platform of choice|Anna Hensel|July 17, 2020|Digiday

Given this setup, you can then start to analyze the line using the techniques of two-dimensional geometry.
New Geometric Perspective Cracks Old Problem About Rectangles|Kevin Hartnett|June 25, 2020|Quanta Magazine
The amenities include a fitness room, a sauna, a beauty parlor, and a karaoke setup.
Inside the ‘Surprisingly Great’ North Korean Hacker Hotel|Michael Daly|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was actually outside the age range for what my account was setup for.
Exclusive: Michael Phelps’s Intersex Self-Proclaimed Girlfriend, Taylor Lianne Chandler, Tells All|Aurora Snow|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In one passage Brother Consolmango explains the setup of daily life as a science priest.
Pope Francis Asked ‘Would You Baptize an Alien?’ Here’s the Answer.|Barbie Latza Nadeau|September 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It seemed crammed with characters, and like a setup film for The Sinister Six spin-off.
Andrew Garfield on the Evils of Capitalism, the Hacking Scandal, and Criticism of ‘Spider-Man 2’|Marlow Stern|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After the Al Jazeera crew ran from the gas, police broken down their light setup and pointed their cameras at the ground.
Viral Video of the Day: TV News Crew Tear-Gassed in Ferguson|Alex Chancey|August 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He said quickly: "Come to think of it, Arnold did mention that he was here most of last night, working on setup."
We're Friends, Now|Henry Hasse
Something about the conditional setup seemed to give me an idea.
Sense from Thought Divide|Mark Irvin Clifton
Without your setup, think of all the people that might have been killed or injured!
Tom Swift and The Visitor from Planet X|Victor Appleton
In the meantime, Bud and I will go to work on this setup here.
Tom Swift and The Visitor from Planet X|Victor Appleton
Think what a wonderful 'inside man' he'd make in the enemy setup!
Tom Swift and The Visitor from Planet X|Victor Appleton

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.