set-aside

[ set-uh-sahyd ]

noun

1. something, as land or profits, set aside for a particular purpose.
2. a tract of federal lands set aside as a wildlife refuge, oil exploration site, etc.
3. a tract of farmland on which commercial crops or a specific crop will not be grown, as part of a federal plan to decrease production in order to maintain or increase prices.
4. a specified amount or percentage of an industry's production set aside, especially for government use:

   Ten percent of gasoline production is a set-aside for emergency use by the state.

5. a government contract awarded, as to a minority-owned business, without competitive bidding.

adjective

1. pertaining to or constituting a set-aside:

   set-aside provisions of the new law.

set aside

verb

1. to reserve for a special purpose; put to one side
2. to discard, dismiss, or quash

noun

1. 1. (in the European Union) a scheme in which a proportion of farmland is taken out of production in order to reduce surpluses or maintain or increase prices of a specific crop
   2. ( as modifier )

      set-aside land

Word History and Origins

Origin of set-aside¹

First recorded in 1940–45; noun, adj. use of verb phrase set aside

Example Sentences

It includes the unique Stehekin Valley — inaccessible by road and, thanks to Congress’ set-aside, a rare lowland valley with an unsullied wild river and more trout, bear and deer than buildings.

From Seattle Times

He insisted he was all in favour of tackling climate change, but that the set-aside rule made no practical sense.

From BBC

A state website last updated in September showed Washington districts have yet to claim about 55% of these set-aside dollars for academic recovery.

From Seattle Times

California’s legislative analyst estimates the set-aside would generate up to $1 billion that would be prioritized for districts that serve low-income families with the greatest number of Black and Latino students.

From New York Times

Wicker, however, has said the 20% set-aside is non-negotiable—even if NSF’s budget doesn’t rise.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• abolish
• abrogate
• annul
• deny
• dismantle
• dismiss
• invalidate
• lift
• nullify
• quash
• remove
• renounce
• repeal
• rescind
• retract
• reverse
• vacate
• void
• withdraw