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.

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Usage

See login.

Etymology

Origin of setup

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

Example Sentences

Already Strong Security Setup: If you have a well-configured home network with strong passwords, updated firmware, WPA3 encryption and regularly updated devices, your baseline security may already be quite good.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

Appeared in the January 15, 2026, print edition as 'The ‘Affordability’ Setup'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

Setup: “I’m Still Here” originally opened on an open sea at dawn as a military helicopter arrives.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2025

Apple also introduced Family Setup, software that let parents track their children’s locations, manage their contacts list and limit their notifications.

From New York Times • Sep. 1, 2022

Enter ALT+S and then select 1, Modem Setup.

From The Online World by De Presno, Odd

Related Words

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