- set*/*/*/
- [set]
(past tense and past participle set) verb
I
1) [T] to put someone or something in a position, or to be in a particular place or positionTea's ready, he told them and set down the tray.[/ex]She set the baby on the floor to play.[/ex]2) [T] to make a piece of equipment ready to operate, or ready to start at a particular timeThe bomb was set to go off at eight o'clock.[/ex]I'm setting the alarm for 6.30.[/ex]3) [T] to decide where or when an event will happenHave they set a date for the wedding?[/ex]4) [T] to decide the price, value, or level of somethingThe central bank is responsible for setting interest rates.[/ex]5) [T] to establish a rule, standard, limit etc that people must followTheir teacher sets high standards and expects everyone to meet them.[/ex]Opposition parties have set conditions for cooperating with the government.[/ex]You should set an example for your younger brothers.[/ex]6) [T] to give something to someone to do or achieveYou'll never get anywhere if you don't set yourself any goals.[/ex]The teacher set us an essay to do over the weekend.[/ex]7) [T] to put someone or something in a particular stateThe suspect has been accused of setting the restaurant on fire.[/ex]Don't set the dog loose.[/ex]The hostages have been set free after 34 days in captivity.[/ex]8) [T] if a play, book, film etc is set in a particular time or place, it happens in that time or placeThe film is set in 18th-century New England.[/ex]9) [I] when the sun sets, it goes below the HORIZON at the end of the dayAnt:rise10) [I] if a liquid sets, it forms a solid substancea type of concrete that sets in 15 minutes[/ex]11) [I/T] to put the two ends of a broken bone back together, or to be joined in this way•set the stage for sth — to create the conditions in which something is likely to happen[/ex]- set about sth- set sb against sb- set sb/sth apart- set sth aside- set sth back- set sth down- set forth- set in- set off- set sth off- set out- set sth out- set sb up- set sth upIInoun [C]set */*/*/[set]1) a group of things that belong togetherTeachers are given a set of guidelines for dealing with violent students.[/ex]a set of keys[/ex]Winners will receive a complete set of REM albums.[/ex]2) a piece of equipment that receives television or radio signalsa TV set[/ex]3) a theatre stage, or a place where a film or television programme is madeThis photograph was taken on the set of her latest film.[/ex]4) a part of a tennis match consisting of at least six games5) a series of songs that are played or sung in a performanceIIIadjset */[set]1) already decided or agreedThere's no set time limit for the job.[/ex]He charges a set fee for his services.[/ex]2) not willing to change your opinion or way of doing thingsHe's old and stubborn and set in his ways.[/ex]3) ready to do somethingGillian is getting set to do a world tour.[/ex]Are you all set for the party tonight?[/ex]4) likely to do somethingCar repair costs are set to rise under the new proposals.[/ex]5) a set book or TEXT contains information that students must study before an examination
Dictionary for writing and speaking English. 2014.