a check to progress; a reverse or defeat: The new law was a setback.
Architecture. a recession of the upper part of a building from the building line, as to lighten the structure or to permit a desired amount of light and air to reach ground level at the foot of the building.
an act or instance of setting back: A nightly setback of your home thermostats can save a great deal of fuel.
Also set-back. a downward temperature adjustment of a thermostat, especially performed automatically, as by a timer.
Origin of setback
First recorded in 1665–75; noun use of verb phrase set back
Words nearby setback
set a precedent, setaria, set-aside, set at, set at rest, setback, set back on one's heels, set back the clock, set by, set chisel, set down
Definition for setback (2 of 2)
set-back
[ set-bak ]
/ ˈsɛtˌbæk /
noun
Surveying. the interval by which a chain or tape exceeds the length being measured.
Now to see whether ViacomCBS is able to avoid the setbacks that have waylaid NBCUniversal’s Peacock and WarnerMedia’s HBO Max.
How the future of TV and streaming has – and hasn’t – been reshaped so far by 2020|Tim Peterson|September 16, 2020|Digiday
To prevent another unpleasant and surprising setback, the commission also called for a whistleblower system.
A CRISPR Baby Future? New Report Outlines Path to Human Germline Editing|Shelly Fan|September 15, 2020|Singularity Hub
Backing away from the deal would be a rare setback for Arnault, who built his empire through a string of acquisitions, amassing a conglomerate encompassing everything from Dior fashions to Dom Perignon Champagne.
The setback comes as a group of international scientists raised questions over a fast-moving vaccine from Russia, saying some results of a study appeared improbable.
Some scientists downplay significance of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine trial halt|Claire Zillman, reporter|September 9, 2020|Fortune
Despite such setbacks, cryptocurrency veterans believe yield farming and DeFi are part of a massive and permanent expansion of their industry.
Crypto soars again as traders embrace ‘DeFi’ and ‘yield farming’—but some see echoes of the 2017 bubble|Jeff|August 25, 2020|Fortune
It meant more to our father to see us deal with a setback and try to bounce back than to watch how we handled our successes.
‘Calamity Jill’ Rises Again: Fired New York Times Editor Returns to the Public Stage|Lloyd Grove|May 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Seneca encouraged followers to possess the strength of immunity to setback, but never withheld his human touch.
New Year’s Reading List: Books to Transform Your Sad Life|David Masciotra|January 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The deal it not only a setback for Putin—it also signals a comeback for the EU as well.
E.U. Fight Club: Russia Dukes It Out With Ex-Soviet Satellites Over E.U. Membership|Owen Matthews|October 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It's the anniversary of the "naksa" or the "setback" for Palestinians.
Slow down the progress of, hinder, as in The project was set back by the frequent absences of staff members. [First half of 1500s]
2
Cost, as in That car set me back twenty thousand dollars. [Colloquial; c. 1900]
3
Change to a lower level or earlier time, as in We set back the thermostat whenever we go on vacation, or On October 10 we have to set back the clocks. [First half of 1600s] Set back the clock is also used figuratively to mean “return to an earlier era,” as in He wished he could set back the clock to those carefree high-school days. Also see set forward.