put, lay, or stand (something) in a specified place or position

Delaney set the mug of tea down

Catherine set a chair by the bed

put or bring into a specified state

the Home Secretary set in motion a review of the law

the hostages were set free

adjust (a clock or watch), typically to show the right time

set your watch immediately to local time at your destination

to revert to an old style would be to try to set back the clock and deny the progress which had been made

harden into a solid or semi-solid state

cook for a further thirty-five minutes until the filling has set

(of the sun, moon, or another celestial body) appear to move towards and below the earth's horizon as the earth rotates

the sun was setting and a warm red glow filled the sky

(of a tide or current) take or have a specified direction or course

a fair tide can be carried well past Land's End before the stream sets to the north

start (a fire)

the school had been broken into and the fire had been set

(of blossom or a tree) form into or produce (fruit)

wait until first flowers have set fruit before planting out the peppers

sit

the rest of them people just set there goggle-eyed for a minute

group (pupils or students) in sets according to ability

the place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place

a romantic house in a wonderful setting beside the River Wye

a piece of metal in which a precious stone or gem is fixed to form a piece of jewellery

a garnet in a heavy gold setting

a piece of vocal or choral music composed for particular words

a setting of Yevtushenko's bleak poem

a speed, height, or temperature at which a machine or device can be adjusted to operate

if you find the room getting too hot, check the thermostat setting