# setup

/ˈsɛˌtəp/ (US) · /sˈɛtʌp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/setup
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. arrangement or organization

noun · CEFR B1

the way that something is organized or arranged.

For teachers: the configuration or organizational structure of a system, business, or situation.

- I really like the setup at my new office because everyone sits together.
- The current political setup makes it difficult for smaller parties to gain any significant representation in the local assembly.

Usage: often used with 'the' or 'a' to describe a social or professional situation.

### 2. equipment or tools

noun · CEFR B1

the set of equipment or tools you use for a specific activity.

For teachers: the physical apparatus or assembly of equipment required for a particular purpose or operation.

- He spent a lot of money on a professional gaming setup with three monitors.
- The laboratory setup included a high-speed camera and several sensors designed to capture the chemical reaction in real time.

Usage: frequently used in gaming, photography, and home office contexts.

### 3. a trick or frame-up

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a dishonest plan that makes someone seem guilty of something they did not do.

For teachers: a scheme or deceptive arrangement intended to incriminate an innocent person or produce a predetermined negative outcome.

- The thief claimed it was a setup and that the police had planted the money.
- The protagonist eventually realizes that the entire job was a setup designed to distract the authorities from the real crime.

### 4. software installation

noun · CEFR B1

the process of installing a new program on a computer.

For teachers: the initial process of installing and configuring software or hardware for first-time use.

- Double-click the setup file to begin installing the software on your laptop.
- The automated setup failed because the system lacked the necessary administrative permissions to modify the registry files.

Usage: often refers specifically to the 'setup.exe' file or the installation wizard.

## Examples

- The new office setup is very comfortable.
- After you download the file, run the setup to install the software on your hard drive.
- The technician spent several hours optimizing the server setup to ensure that the network could handle the anticipated increase in traffic during the holiday season.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.