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
Filmation never missed a chance to loop animation over and over to kill time between set pieces.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 11 July 2025
The way for the outsiders to narrow the gap is, in part, through set pieces.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 July 2025
The tension continued to build until Mexico released the pressure with a set piece goal to break the deadlock in the 77th minute.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
The Loons peppered Dallas with set pieces in the first half and broke through in the 35th minute on Carlos Harvey’s header from Julian Gressel’s quality free kick.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for set piece
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Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 11 July 2025
The way for the outsiders to narrow the gap is, in part, through set pieces.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 July 2025
The tension continued to build until Mexico released the pressure with a set piece goal to break the deadlock in the 77th minute.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
The Loons peppered Dallas with set pieces in the first half and broke through in the 35th minute on Carlos Harvey’s header from Julian Gressel’s quality free kick.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for set piece
Cite this Entry
“Set piece.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/set%20piece. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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