setting

[ set-ing ]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that sets.
2. the surroundings or environment of anything:

   The garden was a perfect setting for the house.

3. the mounting in which a jewel is set.
4. a group of all the articles, as of china, silver, or glass, required for setting a table or a single place at a table.
5. the locale or period in which the action of a novel, play, film, etc., takes place:

   The setting of this story is Verona in the 15th century.

6. Also called stage setting, the scenery and other properties used in a dramatic performance.
7. Music.
   1. a piece of music composed for certain words.
   2. a piece of music composed for a particular medium, or arranged for other than the original medium.

setting

/ ˈsɛtɪŋ /

noun

1. the surroundings in which something is set; scene
2. the scenery, properties, or background, used to create the location for a stage play, film, etc
3. music a composition consisting of a certain text and music provided or arranged for it
4. the metal mounting and surround of a gem

   diamonds in an antique gold setting

5. the tableware, cutlery, etc, for a single place at table
6. any of a series of points on a scale or dial that can be selected to control the level as of temperature, speed, etc, at which a machine functions
7. a clutch of eggs in a bird's nest, esp a clutch of hen's eggs

Other Words From

• non·setting adjective
• un·setting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of setting¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English; set, -ing ¹

Synonym Study

See environment.

Example Sentences

She's a movie star's wife at this point in her story, well past her days of setting bombs in the name of struggle.

From Salon

It was Trump, however, who had set the U.S. departure from Afghanistan in motion, setting a timetable that left his successor in office with a narrow range of options.

From Los Angeles Times

One of Streeting’s team told me: “Wes has approached this issue in a genuine, thoughtful and considerate way, setting out his own view while respecting others’ views.”

From BBC

Lennox, a Belfast native who previously worked on the Troubles-themed coming of age comedy “Derry Girls,” played an essential role in setting its tone which, though grim, is also inflected with dark humor.

From Los Angeles Times

“You realize he didn’t speak out loud during that day. Human beings are meant to be convivial and social — the default setting for a lot of us is that we need other people around. Ted’s character Charles is a guy who’s still perfectly vibrant, very sharp, alive in the world, but his life has just gotten very small. And the question is — for him and for the audience — can he go through something that makes him see the value in living a bigger life?”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ambience
• backdrop
• context
• environment
• framework
• locale
• location
• site
• surroundings