ˈbæk.ɡɹaʊnd ˈsɝ.kəm.ˌstæns ˈ kɒn.tɛkst ˈ kɑːn.tɛkst siːn ˈsɛtɪŋ arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or movie is enacted a mounting consisting of a piece of metal (as in a ring or other jewelry) that holds a gem in place the diamond was in a plain gold mount a table service for one person a place setting of sterling flatware the context and environment in which something is set the perfect setting for a ghost story the physical position of something he changed the setting on the thermostat the set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation or event the historical context the state of the environment in which a situation exists you can't do that in a university setting