1 : the process of making something (such as a machine or computer program) ready to be used [count] ▪ an online account setup [noncount] ▪ The tent is designed for quick and easy setup. [=is designed to be set up quickly and easily] ▪ Setup of the new software is a breeze. — often used before another noun ▪ How much setup time is needed? ▪ Run the setup program on your computer. 2 [count] : the way that something is done or organized
▪ It took me a while to learn the setup of the office's filing system. ▪ We had a great setup. On my days off, my wife would work from home while I took care of the kids. ▪ The software makes it easy to create custom setups. 3 [count] informal : a situation in which someone is deliberately put in a bad position or made to look guilty — usually singular ▪ Those aren't my drugs. This is a setup! Someone is trying to frame me! 4 [count] : the beginning of a story, joke, etc., that explains and leads to what follows — usually singular ▪ This sounds like the setup to one of your jokes. ▪ the setup for a television crime drama — see also set up at ¹set