setup

American  

[set-uhp] / ˈsɛtˌʌp /

noun

• setups
  plural

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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• setups
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of setup

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

setup setups

This setup allowed the team to measure the forces the metals could withstand and determine how far they could stretch before breaking.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026

Yaroslavsky contrasts the city setup with that of Los Angeles County, which she says has a well-known leader in Director of Public Works Mark Pestrella.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026

And Macquarie analyst Steve Koenig wrote last week that software companies are facing a “more difficult” setup this earnings season given that many stocks in the sector have staged strong comebacks in recent months.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2026

In its most poignant moments, Wilson and Fischer use the film’s unconventional setup to approach old questions with new flair.

From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2026

My eyes kept tracking around the room, taking in a small library, a simulation setup, lounge area, and cafeteria.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

"The biggest challenge has been juggling clients who want their sites taken offline as a precaution, while trying to coordinate updates and fixes across countless different setups," he said.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

Both Samsung and Google pack dedicated triple-camera setups or ultra-high megapixel sensors into their foldables, whereas Apple makes modest hardware compromises on its camera array to keep the Duo thin and lightweight.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

Greg Viviani has seen some elaborate beach setups in Orange County.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2026

“We see potential for higher consumer sentiment and group valuations ahead,” they say, noting particularly good setups for Dick’s Sporting Goods, Crocs and Adidas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

I was pleasantly surprised when a bunch of kids added their names to volunteer for apartment setups and helping with free music lessons and tutoring for kids.

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan

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Related Words

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

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