set piece
noun
plural set pieces
1
a
: a composition (as in literature, art, or music) executed in a fixed or ideal form often with studied artistry and brilliant effect
b
: a scene, depiction, speech, or event that is obviously designed to have an imposing effect
2
: a realistic piece of stage scenery standing by itself
3
: a precisely planned and conducted military operation
an offensive set piece that caught the enemy off guard
4
sports
: a carefully planned sequence of movements performed by the members of a team (as in soccer)
A set piece can be used on either a direct or indirect type of [free] kick, providing one of the few times during the game that a team can execute something that it may have spent hours practicing.—
Doug Roberson
Doug Roberson
Examples of set piece in a Sentence
a movie with some lovely set pieces
She scored with a set piece.
Recent Examples on the Web
In one fun set piece, the Warriors are tasked with herding sheep on a ranch as their coaches look on with amusement.
—Jourdain Searles, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2024
Keaton gives pursuit in a variety of vehicles during a series of increasingly elaborate set pieces.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2024
If fewer of Cooper’s tricks to escape — which serve as the film’s set pieces — came by way of convenient happenstance, Trap might work a bit better as a straight thriller about a predator becoming prey.
—Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 3 Aug. 2024
Edgerton does an expert job of drawing out the tension of this compelling story, opting for minimalist storytelling that doesn’t rely on overt exposition or flashy set pieces, that chooses to focus on the characters and their moral ambiguity.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for set piece 
Jourdain Searles, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2024
Keaton gives pursuit in a variety of vehicles during a series of increasingly elaborate set pieces.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2024
If fewer of Cooper’s tricks to escape — which serve as the film’s set pieces — came by way of convenient happenstance, Trap might work a bit better as a straight thriller about a predator becoming prey.
—Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 3 Aug. 2024
Edgerton does an expert job of drawing out the tension of this compelling story, opting for minimalist storytelling that doesn’t rely on overt exposition or flashy set pieces, that chooses to focus on the characters and their moral ambiguity.
—Travis Bean, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for set piece
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'set piece.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near set piece
Cite this Entry
“Set piece.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20piece. Accessed 17 Sep. 2024.
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