set-in

1 of 3

adjective

ˈset-ˈin How to pronounce set-in (audio)
Synonyms of set-innext
1
: placed, located, or built as a part of some other construction
a set-in bookcase
a set-in washbasin
2
: cut separately and stitched in
set-in sleeves

set-in

2 of 3

noun

ˈset-ˌin How to pronounce set-in (audio)
: insert

set in

3 of 3

verb

set in; setting in; sets in

transitive verb

: insert
especially : to stitch (a small part) within a large article
set in a sleeve of a dress

intransitive verb

: to become established

Synonyms of set-in

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of set-in in a Sentence

Verb a cold spell set in sometime last week
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Herro said there was no set-in-stone minutes restriction. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026 However, if the staining is heavy or set-in, use 1/4 cup of powder per gallon of water. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
Noun
Best of all, there are no set-in-stone rules for this practice. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2026 This will give you a set-in-stone payoff timeline, which credit cards just don't offer. — Aly J Yale, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for set-in

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1953, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of set-in was in the 15th century

Rhymes for set-in

See All Rhymes for set-in

Browse Nearby Words

setigerous
set-in
set in
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Set-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set-in. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

set-in

1 of 2 adjective
ˌset-ˌin
: cut separately and stitched in
set-in sleeves

set in

2 of 2 verb
1
: insert entry 1 sense 2
2
: to make its appearance : begin
winter set in early
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All