Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

set up

 - definition
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
phrasal verb
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyset up
he/she/itsets up
present participlesetting up
past tenseset up
past participleset up
Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

 
  1. 1
    [intransitive/transitive] to start something such as a business, organization, or institution

    The group plans to set up an import business.

    Rebels have set up an independent state within the country.

    set up shop (=start a business):

    Hewlett and Packard set up shop in the now legendary garage in downtown Palo Alto.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set up
    1. a.
      [transitive] to make it possible for someone to start a business, organization, or institution
      set someone up in business:

      a privileged kid whose father set him up in business

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set up
  2. 2
    [transitive] to organize or plan something such as an event or system

    I'll set up a meeting for Thursday.

    The program will set up a regional library system.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set up
  3. 3
    [transitive] to build a structure, or to put it in a particular place

    Police have set up an emergency medical unit outside the building.

    set up a roadblock:

    The army set up roadblocks to stop people trying to escape.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set up
  4. 4
    [transitive] set up something to make something start to happen

    Their negligence set up a chain reaction that resulted in extensive damage.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set up
  5. 5
    [intransitive/transitive] to make a piece of equipment ready for use

    While the band is setting up, would you check on the food?

    The kids are setting up the volleyball net.

    Will you be able to set up my PC?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set up
  6. 6
    [transitive] informal to arrange a situation so that someone is blamed for doing something, especially something illegal

    She claims she's innocent and someone set her up.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set up
  8. 8
    [transitive] mainly British to put someone in a position of power
    set someone up as something:

    a plan to set him up as party leader

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set up
  9. 9
    to arrange for two people who you know to go out together because you think they might like each other
    set someone up with someone:

    I think we should set Ryan up with my cousin.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set up
  10. 10
    set up camp
    1. a.
      to put a tent in an upright position, or to build a shelter somewhere

      We set up camp for the night near the river.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set up
    2. b.
      to put your possessions or equipment in a particular place so that you can live, work, or spend a lot of time there

      She set up camp in the kitchen while they painted the bedroom.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set up
  11. 11
    set someone up for life to provide someone with enough money so that they do not have to work for the rest of their life

    a trust fund that set her up for life

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set up
  12. 12
    set up house/home to begin living in a particular place or with a particular person

    After graduation, we decided to set up house together.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set up
  13. 13
    set yourself up as something to claim to be something that you are not

    He sets himself up as some kind of a financial expert.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of set up

This is the American English definition of set up. View British English definition of set up.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 
See also main entry: set

charticle

a news article that consists of a chart … and only has a small amount of text

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

electron

a part of an atom that moves around the nucleus (=centre) and has a negative electrical charge

Open Dictionary

never event

an event that should never occur in a healthcare setting …

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog