setup

noun

USSET-up/ˈsɛtʌp/

7 meanings of setup

1
nouncountable
The way something is put together or arranged.
Like how the furniture is placed in a room.
The setup of the new office makes it easy to find things.
I changed the setup of my desk to get more space.
Similararrangement, layout, configuration, organization, structure
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2
nouncountable
A set of equipment put together to do a certain job.
Like all the tools a cook needs laid out and ready.
The photographer's setup included two lights and a backdrop.
We bought a simple camping setup for the trip.
Similarrig, apparatus, equipment, system, gear
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3
nouncountable
A trick made to make someone look guilty of something they did not do.
Like hiding stolen candy in someone's bag so they get the blame.
He said the robbery charge was a setup by his enemies.
The whole thing was a setup to get her fired.
Similarframe-up, trap, plant, fix
4
nouncountable or uncountable
The work of getting machines and materials ready before making a product.
Like getting all your pans and ingredients ready before you start baking.
The factory's setup for the new part took most of the morning.
A quick setup means workers can start making the parts sooner.
Similarmakeready
Oppositeteardown
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5
nouncountable
A move made to trick an opponent into leaving an opening you can hit.
Like pretending to pass the ball one way so you can go the other.
The boxer used a quick jab as a setup for his big right hand.
Her first kick was just a setup to make him drop his guard.
Similarfeint, decoy, ploy, lure
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6
nouncountable
A program that puts software onto a computer.
Like a helper that unpacks a new toy and puts it together for you.
Double-click the setup to install the game.
The setup asked where to save the program.
Similarinstaller
Oppositeuninstaller
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7
nouncountable
The way steady wind pushes water higher on one shore of a lake and lower on the other.
Like blowing across a bowl of soup and watching it pile up on the far side.
Days of steady wind caused a setup that pushed water high against the eastern shore.
The setup left the upwind side of the lake noticeably lower.
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Practice

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Origin

It comes from the verb "set up."