setout

1 of 2

noun

set·​out ˈset-ˌau̇t 

1

a(1)

: array, display

(2)

: arrangement, layout

b

: buffet, spread

c

: turnout sense 5

2

: party, entertainment

3

: beginning, outset

set out

2 of 2

verb

set out; setting out; sets out

transitive verb

1

a

: to arrange and present graphically or systematically

b

: to mark out (something, such as a design) : lay out the plan of

2

: to state, describe, or recite at length

distributed copies of a pamphlet setting out his ideas in full

—S. F. Mason

3

: to begin with a definite purpose : intend, undertake

intransitive verb

: to start out on a course, a journey, or a career

set out across the country

Synonyms

Noun

• arrangement
• configuration
• conformation
• format
• formation
• layout
• setup

Verb

• delineate
• depict
• describe
• draw
• image
• limn
• paint
• picture
• portray
• render
• sketch

Examples of setout in a Sentence

Noun

the setout of the stations at the polling place was a little confusing

Verb

in his inaugural address, the president set out his vision for the nation over the next four years

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The company then set out to find a writer who would adapt it. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2024

Elena Elena is always setting out to do what’s right, which perfectly resembles the justice-seeking Libra. —Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2024

In the midst of a catastrophic war, authorities set out to vaccinate nearly 650,000 children under the age of 10 at risk of contracting poliomyelitis, a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system. —Bilal Shbair, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024

Democrats need to preempt Trump’s anti-immigrant excesses, including mass deportations, by setting out credible plans for securing the border, creating an orderly system to process legal immigration, and laying out a pathway to resolving the status of millions of undocumented migrants. —Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

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

Kids Definition

set out

verb

1

: to begin with a definite purpose : undertake

deliberately set out to win

2

: to start out on a course, a journey, or a career

set out to be a doctor

set out for Spain