[count] 1 : the place and conditions in which something happens or exists
▪ This would be a beautiful/perfect/ideal setting for a picnic. ▪ You will have the opportunity to view the animals in their natural setting. [=environment] ▪ He tends to be shy in social settings. ▪ dining in a casual/formal setting ▪ urban versus rural settings 2 a : the time, place, and conditions in which the action of a book, movie, etc., takes place
▪ The movie changes the play's setting from the late 18th century to the year 2000. ▪ She uses modern-day Los Angeles as the setting for her book.
b US : the rooms, painted backgrounds, furniture, etc., that are used for a scene in a movie or play : set
▪ stage settings 3 : a particular way of positioning the controls of a machine, system, etc., in order to produce a desired result
▪ Save money by turning the temperature settings up in the summer and down in the winter. ▪ She just learned how to change the settings on her camera. 4 : the metal that attaches a stone or jewel to a piece of jewelry
▪ The ring has a single diamond in a gold setting. 5 : place setting 6 : the music that is written to go with a piece of writing
▪ the musician's settings of poems by W. B. Yeats