Definitions:

1. a jewelry mounting consisting of a piece of metal that holds a gem in place noun
   • The simple beauty of the stone was ruined by a really tacky setting.
2. a table service for one person noun
   • a place setting of sterling flatware
3. the context and environment in which something is set noun
   • the perfect setting for a ghost story
4. the physical position of something noun
   • I changed the setting on the thermostat.
5. the state of the environment in which a situation exists noun
   • you can't do that in a university setting

Synonyms:

• background
• circumstance
• context
• mise en scene
• mount
• place setting
• scene