1. The way something is organized or arranged
   "it takes time to learn the setup around here"
    
2. Equipment designed to serve a specific function
   "The complex setup allowed for precise measurements of the particles";
   - apparatus
    
3. A conspiracy to falsely incriminate someone
   "He claimed his arrest was a setup orchestrated by his political enemies";
   - frame-up

1. Get ready for a particular purpose or event
   "set up an experiment";
   - lay out, set
    
2. Start a new organization or institution
   "She set up a literacy program";
   - establish, found, launch
    
3. Create by putting components or members together
   "They set up a committee";
   - assemble, piece, put together, tack, tack together
    
4. Construct, build
   "set up a barn";
   - raise, erect, rear, put up
    
5. Put into a proper or systematic order
   "set up the books on the shelves in chronological order";
   - arrange
    
6. Set up for use
   "set up the washer and dryer";
   - install, instal [Brit], put in
    
7. Place
   "The company set up a branch in a new location";
   - install, instal [Brit], establish
    
8. Erect and fasten
   "set up a tent";
   - pitch
    
9. Begin, or enable someone else to begin, a venture by providing the means, logistics, etc.
   "set up an election"
    
10. Organize thoughts, ideas, or temporal events
    "set up one's life";
    - arrange, put, order
     
11. Produce
    "The scientists set up a shock wave";
    - effect, effectuate
     
12. Make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
    "I was setting up to leave town after I paid the hotel bill";
    - fix, prepare, ready, gear up, set
     
13. Equip with sails or masts
    "They set up the new yacht";
    - rig, set
     
14. [informal] Make someone get in trouble by setting a trap or planting false or deliberately misleading evidence
    "I was set up!";
    - ensnare, entrap, frame, fit up [Brit, informal], stitch up [Brit, informal]
     
15. Arrange the outcome of by means of deceit
    "The boxer took a dive - the match had been set up";
    - rig

Derived forms: setting up, sets up, setups, set up

See also: lay

Type of: alter, build, cause, change, cheat, chisel [informal], construct, cozen [literary], create, deceive, delude, devise, do, engender, equip, equipment, erect, falsehood, falsification, fashion, fit, fit out, get up, join, lay, lead on, machinate, make, manner, mode, modify, open, open up, organise [Brit], organize, outfit, place, pose, position, prepare, put, rear, set, style, way

Encyclopedia: Setup