Setting Meaning

UK /ˈsɛtɪŋ/
US /ˈsɛtɪŋ/
Word Definition
setting meaning

Setting Definition & Usage

noun

The place or environment where something is situated or takes place.

Examples

  • "The wedding was held in a beautiful outdoor setting, surrounded by trees."
  • "The setting for the play was a dark, ominous castle."
  • "The setting of the novel was an isolated mountain village."
  • "They found a quiet setting by the lake to have their picnic."
  • "The setting of the conference was a modern, high-tech building with large windows."
noun

The default configuration or arrangement of parameters in a machine or system.

Examples

  • "You need to change the settings on your phone to enable the new feature."
  • "The default settings for the software include automatic updates every day."
  • "After resetting the device, it returned to its factory settings."
  • "The settings for the printer are too complex for beginners."
  • "Make sure the security settings on your computer are properly configured."
noun

The time, place, and context in which the events of a story unfold.

Examples

  • "The setting of the story is Victorian London, full of fog and mystery."
  • "The setting in the novel shifts from the city to the rural countryside."
  • "The medieval setting of the play was brought to life with elaborate costumes and props."
  • "In this film, the setting is a post-apocalyptic world where humanity struggles to survive."
  • "The setting of the short story was a bustling coffee shop on a rainy afternoon."

Cultural Context

The term 'setting' has been used for centuries, stemming from the Latin word 'sistere', meaning to stand. Historically, it referred to the act of placing something in a specific position or context. Over time, the word expanded to include physical spaces (e.g., locations of events), technical configurations (e.g., settings on machines), and literary contexts.

The Setting of the Dream

Story

The Setting of the Dream

One warm evening, Laura sat by the large bay window of her apartment, sipping on her favorite chamomile tea. As she gazed out over the city, she couldn't help but feel that the setting was perfect. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, casting a peaceful glow over the bustling streets below. It felt like a perfect backdrop to the quiet reflections that had consumed her mind since the morning. Laura’s apartment, though small, had always felt like the perfect setting for her life—a place of calm, with the right setting for everything she needed: quiet when she wanted solitude, open windows when she wanted the fresh air, and a view of the world that always seemed to ground her. She thought about the settings in her life that had shaped her. Her childhood home in the suburbs had been a place where she could run freely, a contrast to the modern city setting she had grown to love. As she reflected, her phone buzzed. A message from her friend, Sarah, popped up: ‘Do you want to change the settings on your app? It’s not working well for me.’ Laura smiled, remembering how technology had its own way of influencing her day-to-day life, just like the setting of her apartment influenced her mood. She quickly adjusted the settings, making sure everything was in place to ensure the app worked smoothly for Sarah. Later that night, Laura attended a play, and the setting of the production was as mesmerizing as the story itself. The scene was set in an ancient castle, complete with stone walls and eerie lighting. The actors performed passionately against this setting, and the audience was transported to another time and place, fully immersed in the drama. On her way home, Laura thought about how setting, in all its forms, had such a profound impact on her life. From the physical spaces she inhabited to the digital environments she interacted with, every setting played a crucial role in shaping her experiences. Whether it was a city street at sunset or the technical settings on her phone, it was clear that everything had its own place and purpose.

The Setting of the Dream