set

1 of 3

verb

ˈset 

set; setting; sets

transitive verb

1

: to cause to sit : place in or on a seat

2

a

: to put (a fowl) on eggs to hatch them

b

: to put (eggs) for hatching under a fowl or into an incubator

3

: to place (oneself) in position to start running in a race

4

a

: to place with care or deliberate purpose and with relative stability

set a ladder against the wall

set a stone on the grave

b

: transplant sense 1

set seedlings

c(1)

: to make (a trap) ready to catch prey

(2)

: to fix (a hook) firmly into the jaw of a fish

d

: to put aside (something, such as dough containing yeast) for fermenting

5

: to direct with fixed attention

set your mind to it

6

a

: to cause to assume a specified condition, relation, or occupation

The bird was treated and then set free.

They accidentally set the house on fire.

b

: to cause the start of

set a fire

7

a

: to appoint or assign to an office or duty

b

: post, station

8

: to cause to assume a specified posture or position

set the door ajar

9

a

: to fix as a distinguishing imprint, sign, or appearance

the years have set their mark on him

b

: affix

c

: apply

set a match to kindling

10

: to fix or decide on as a time, limit, or regulation : prescribe

set a wedding day

set the rules for the game

11

a

: to establish as the highest level or best performance

set a record for the half mile

b

: to furnish as a pattern or model

set an example of generosity

c

: to allot as a task

… setting lessons for the children to work upon at home …

—Manchester Examiner

12

a

: to adjust (a device and especially a measuring device) to a desired position

set the alarm for 7:00

set a thermostat at 68

also : to adjust (something, such as a clock) in conformity with a standard

b

: to restore to normal position or connection when dislocated or fractured

set a broken bone

c

: to spread to the wind

set the sails

13

a

: to put in order for use

set a place for a guest

b

: to make scenically ready for a performance

set the stage

c(1)

: to arrange (type) for printing

set type by hand

(2)

: to put into type or its equivalent (as on film)

set the first word in italic

14

a

: to put a fine edge on by grinding or honing

set a razor

b

: to bend slightly the tooth points of (a saw) alternately in opposite directions

c

: to sink (the head of a nail) below the surface

15

: to fix in a desired position (as by heating or stretching)

16

: to arrange (hair) in a desired style by using implements (such as curlers, rollers, or clips) and gels or lotions

17

a

: to adorn with something affixed or infixed : stud, dot

clear sky set with stars

b

: to fix (something, such as a precious stone) in a border of metal : place in a setting

c

: to place in a specified literary or dramatic setting

a story set in Paris

18

a

: to hold something in regard or esteem at the rate of

sets a great deal by daily exercise

b

: to place in a relative rank or category

set duty before pleasure

c

: to fix at a certain amount

set bail at $500

d

: value, rate

their promises were set at naught

e

: to place as an estimate of worth

set a high value on life

19

: to place in relation for comparison or balance

theory set against practice

20

a

: to direct to action

b

: to incite to attack or antagonism

war sets brother against brother

21

a

: to place by transporting

was set ashore on the island

b

: to put in motion

c

: to put and fix in a direction

set our faces toward home once more

d

of a dog : to point out the position of (game) by holding a fixed attitude

22

: to defeat (an opponent or a contract) in bridge

23

a

: to fix firmly : make immobile : give rigid form or condition to

set her jaw in determination

b

: to make unyielding or obstinate

24

: to cause to become firm or solid

set milk for cheese

25

: to cause (fruit or seed) to develop

intransitive verb

1

chiefly dialectal : sit

2

: to be becoming : be suitable : fit

the coat sets well

3

: to cover and warm eggs to hatch them

4

a

: to affect one with or as if with weight

the pudding sets heavily on my stomach

b

: to place oneself in position in preparation for an action (such as running)

5

of a plant part : to undergo development usually as a result of pollination

6

a

: to pass below the horizon : go down

the sun sets

b

: to come to an end

… this century sets with little mirth …

—Thomas Fuller

7

: to apply oneself to some activity

set to work

8

: to have a specified direction in motion : flow, tend

The wind was setting from Pine Hill to the farm.

—Esther Forbes

9

of a dog : to indicate the position of game by crouching or pointing

10

: to dance face to face with another in a square dance

set to your partner and turn

11

a

: to become solid or thickened by chemical or physical alteration

the cement sets rapidly

b

of a dye or color : to become permanent

c

of a bone : to become whole by growing together

set

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: the act or action of setting

b

: the condition of being set

2

: a number of things of the same kind that belong or are used together

an electric train set

3

a

: mental inclination, tendency, or habit : bent

a set toward mathematics

b

: a state of psychological preparedness to perceive or respond to an anticipated stimulus or situation

4

: direction of flow

the set of the wind

5

: form or carriage of the body or of its parts

her face took on a cynical set

—Raymond Kennedy

6

: the manner of fitting or of being placed or suspended

in order to give the skirt a pretty set

—Mary J. Howell

7

: amount of deflection from a straight line

set of a saw's teeth

8

: permanent change of form (as of metal) due to repeated or excessive stress

9

: the act or result of arranging hair by curling or waving

10

or less commonly sett

ˈset 

a

: a young plant or rooted cutting ready for transplanting

b

: a small bulb, corm, or tuber or a piece of tuber used for propagation

onion sets

c

: the blossoms of a plant that have set fruit as a result of fertilization

11

or sett : the burrow of a badger

12

: the width of the body of a piece of type

13

: an artificial setting for a scene of a theatrical or film production

14

or less commonly sett : a rectangular paving stone of sandstone or granite

15

: a division of a tennis match won by the side that wins at least six games beating the opponent by two games or by winning a tiebreaker

16

: a collection of books or periodicals forming a unit

17

: a clutch of eggs

18

: the basic formation in a country-dance or square dance

19

: a session of music (such as jazz or dance music) usually followed by an intermission

also : the music played at one session

20

: a group of persons associated by common interests

21

: a collection of elements and especially mathematical ones (such as numbers or points)

called also class

22

: an apparatus of electronic components assembled so as to function as a unit

a television set

23

: a usually offensive formation in football or basketball

24

: a group of a specific number of repetitions of a particular exercise

set

3 of 3

adjective

1

: intent, determined

set upon going

2

: intentional, premeditated

did it of set purpose

3

: fixed by authority, appointment, or agreement

The wedding is set [=scheduled] for early June

Students can drop in during set [=designated] office hours

4

: reluctant to change

set in their ways

5

a

: immovable, rigid

set frown

b

: built-in

a set tub

6

: settled, persistent

set defiance

7

a

: ready for action, use, etc. : prepared

We were set for an early morning start

The table is set. Should I bring out the food?

—often used in the phrase all set

Are we all set [=completely ready] to leave?

We replaced the belt, so your car should be all set. [=fully functional and ready for use]

She's all set to blast him, all set to wipe that anxious smile off his face, to tell him some hard home truths. And then she stops. She can't do it.

—Norma Fox Mazer

b

: needing or wanting nothing further

"Would you like more coffee?" "No thanks, I'm set."

The leak is fixed, so you should be set now.

After winning the lottery, they were set for life

—often used in the phrase all set

"Would you like more coffee?" "No thanks, I'm all set."

Can I help you find something, or are you all set?

Is the bill all set, or do you need some change?

Phrases

set about

: to begin to do

set apart

1

: to reserve to a particular use

2

: to make noticeable or outstanding

set aside

1

: to put to one side : discard

2

: to reserve for a purpose : save

3

: dismiss

4

: annul, overrule

set at

: to mount an attack on : assail

I would go although … devils should set at me …

—Charlotte Yonge

set eyes on

: to catch sight of

set foot in

: enter

set foot on

: to step onto

set forth

1

: to give an account or statement of

2

: to start out on a journey

set forward

1

: further

2

: to start out on a journey

set in motion

: to give impulse to

… sets the story in motion vividly …

—Howard Thompson

set one's hand to

: to become engaged in

set one's heart on

: resolve sense transitive 5

she set her heart on going to medical school

set one's house in order

: to organize one's affairs

set one's sights on

: to determine to pursue

set one's teeth on edge

: irritate, annoy

set one straight

: to correct someone by providing accurate information

set sail

: to start out on a course

especially : to begin a voyage

set sail for Bermuda

set store by or set store on

: to consider valuable, trustworthy, or worthwhile

set the stage

: to provide the basis or background

this trend will set the stage for higher earnings

set to music

: to provide music or instrumental accompaniment for (a text)

set upon

: to attack usually with violence

the dogs set upon the trespassers

Synonyms

Verb

• brood
• hatch
• incubate
• sit

Noun

• bloc
• block
• body
• coalition
• faction
• party
• sect
• side
• wing

Adjective

• fit
• go
• prepared
• ready

Examples of set in a Sentence

Verb

We need to set some extra chairs around the table.

He set the ladder against the wall and walked away.

I remember setting my bag right here.

They set the bricks along the walkway.

The jeweler can set the stone several different ways.

He turned off the car and set the parking brake.

Rangers will set a trap to catch the bear.

We set an extra place at the table for our guest.

Noun

I need to buy a new set of golf clubs.

The kids are allowed to watch two hours of television. After that, I turn off the set.

We met on the set of Hamlet.

Adjective

Her college is set in the countryside.

Their house is set back from the road.

a man with deep-set eyes

She has very set ideas about how children should behave.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Denver Public Schools sets public meetings at each of 10 schools up for closure or restructuring The school board will vote whether to close seven schools on Nov. 21; Marrero doesn’t need the board’s approval to restructure the other three schools. —Jessica Seaman, The Denver Post, 9 Nov. 2024

Without offering details, Newsom urged the State Legislature to set aside additional funding for the California Department of Justice in anticipation of a potential flurry of litigation against the Trump administration. —Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

Noun

This elliptic curve has the most complicated set of rational solutions ever seen: Mathematicians need at least 29 independent points to characterize them. —Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 11 Nov. 2024

But Braun faced a unique set of challenges that made the race less straightforward for him. —Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Of course, the basic set editions were too expensive for my parents to buy for me. —Rob Wieland, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

The county, meanwhile, wants to create its first ethics commission with Measure G. Advertisement The county ethics commission, along with an office of ethics compliance, would come with no set budget. —Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English setten, from Old English settan; akin to Old High German sezzen to set, Old English sittan to sit

Adjective

Middle English sett, from Old English gesett, past participle of settan

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing set

• all set
• boxed set
• box set
• carved/etched/set/written in stone
• chemistry set
• close-set
• data set
• dead set
• dead set against
• dead set on
• dinette set
• dresser set
• fuzzy set
• (get) ready, (get) set, go
• get/set/start the ball rolling
• hard-set
• have one's heart set on (something)
• horsey set
• jet set
• Mandelbrot set
• mind-set
• mis-set
• point set topology
• put/set one's mind to (something)
• put/set pen to paper
• put/set (something) to rights
• replacement set
• saw set
• self-set
• set a date
• set a fire
• set against
• set an example
• set a precedent
• set a record
• set back
• set book/text
• set by
• set down
• set fire to
• set for life
• set/get tongues wagging
• set great store by/on
• set in
• set in one's ways
• set in train
• set/lay great store by
• set light to
• set menu
• set off
• set of pipes
• set on
• set (oneself) against
• set (oneself) up as (something)
• set one's own house in order
• set out
• set pattern
• set piece
• set point
• set priorities
• set/put someone's mind at ease/rest
• set/put someone straight
• set/put (something) straight
• set/put the record straight
• set shot
• set (someone) right/straight
• set someone's mind at ease
• set something afire/aflame/ablaze
• set something on fire
• set (something) on its ear
• set (something or someone) against
• set square
• set/start a (new) trend
• set texts
• set theory
• set the pace
• set the pattern
• set the scene
• set the seal on
• set the tone
• set the wheels in motion
• set the world alight
• set the world on fire
• set to
• set-top box
• set to work
• set up
• set up as (something)
• set up camp
• set up house
• set up housekeeping
• set up in business
• set up in (something)
• set up shop
• sharp-set
• skill set
• solution set
• stage set
• swing set
• tea set
• television set
• the jet set
• the smart set
• train set
• truth set
• well-set

Kids Definition

set

1 of 3 verb

ˈset 

set; setting

1

: to cause to sit

2

: to give (a fowl) eggs to hatch or provide (eggs) with suitable conditions for hatching

3

a

: to put or fix in a place, condition, or position

set a dish on the table

set a trap

set a watch

b

: to place (a story or performance) in a specified setting

a book set in a small town

4

: to direct with fixed attention

had set my heart on a new bike

5

: to cause to be, become, or do

prisoners were set free

6

: to start on purpose

set a fire

7

: to fix or decide on as a time, limit, or regulation

set a price

set a wedding day

8

a

: to establish as the best performance

set a record

b

: to furnish as a pattern or model

set an example

9

: to restore to normal position or connection

set a broken bone

10

a

: to put in order for immediate use

set the table

b

: to put in order for printing

set type by hand

c

: to put into type or something like type (as on photographic film)

set the first word in italic

11

: to wave, curl, or arrange hair by wetting and drying

12

: to fix in a setting or frame

set diamonds in a ring

13

: value entry 2 sense 1, rate

set the loss at $2000

14

: to put and fix in a direction

set our faces toward home once more

15

: to fix firmly : give rigid form to

set his jaw in determination

16

: to become or cause to become firm or solid

the gelatin is setting

17

: to form and bring to maturity

the old tree still sets a good crop of apples

18

chiefly dialect : sit sense 1a, b

19

: to cover and warm eggs to hatch them

the hen has been setting for several days

20

: to pass below the horizon

the sun sets

21

: to apply oneself to some activity

set to work

22

: to have a certain direction in motion : flow

23

: to become permanent

if you don't wash that fast the stain will set

set

2 of 3 noun

1

a

: the act or action of setting

b

: the condition of being set

2

: a number of persons or things of the same kind that belong or are used together

the social set

a set of dishes

3

: direction of flow

the set of the wind

4

: the form or movement of the body or of its parts

the set of the shoulders

5

: an artificial setting for a scene of a play or movie

6

: a group of tennis games that make up a match

7

: a group of mathematical elements (as numbers or points)

8

: an electronic device

a television set

set

3 of 3 adjective

1

: showing great determination

set against going

2

: fixed by authority

a set rule

3

: not very willing to change

set in their ways

4

a

: fixed sense 1a, rigid

a set smile

b

: built-in

a set tub for washing

5

: prepared for use or action : ready

are you all set?

Medical Definition

set

1 of 2 verb

ˈset 

set; setting

transitive verb

: to restore to normal position or connection when dislocated or fractured

set a broken bone

intransitive verb

1

: to become solid or thickened by chemical or physical alteration

2

of a bone : to become whole by knitting

set

2 of 2 noun

: a state of psychological preparedness usually of limited duration for action in response to an anticipated stimulus or situation

the influence of mental set on problem solving