Definitions of "set" according to Merriam-Webster (again, examples included):
1 always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] a : to put (something) in a place or position ▪ Set your books (down) on the table. ▪ We need to set some extra chairs around the table. ▪ He set the ladder against the wall and walked away. ▪ I remember setting my bag right here. b : to put (something) into the surface of something ▪ They set the bricks along the walkway. —often used as (be) set ▪ The posts are set firmly in the ground. ▪ The tiles are set into the wall. c : to attach (something, such as a jewel) to a piece of jewelry or other decoration ▪ The jeweler can set the stone several different ways. —often used as (be) set ▪ Her wedding ring is set [=inlaid] with seven diamonds. ▪ a diamond set in a simple gold band
2 always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] : to cause the action of (a film, story, etc.) to happen in a certain place or during a certain time —often used as (be) set ▪ The play is set in Verona, Italy. [=the action of the play takes place in Verona] ▪ The novel is set in 1943. ▪ a novel set during World War II ▪ The story is set against (the backdrop of) the Second World War. [=the story takes place during the Second World War]
3 [+ obj] a : to make (something) ready to be used : to put (something) in a position to be used ▪ He turned off the car and set the parking brake. ▪ Rangers will set a trap to catch the bear. b : to put plates, forks, spoons, knives, etc., on a table before serving a meal ▪ Would you please set [=(Brit) lay] the table? ▪ We set an extra place at the table for our guest. ▪ The table was set for two. [=it had two place settings]
4 [+ obj] : to cause (a clock) to show a particular time ▪ We set the clocks ahead one hour for daylight saving time. : to cause the controls of (a clock or other device) to be in a particular position ▪ The alarm was set for 7:00 a.m. = The alarm was set to go off at 7:00 a.m. ▪ I set the timer for/to twenty minutes. ▪ Set the oven to 350 degrees. ▪ In the winter, she sets the thermostat at/to 68 degrees.
5 [+ obj] : to decide on or choose (something) ▪ I set a goal (for myself) to lose 15 pounds by the end of the year. ▪ The company must meet certain conditions set by the government in order to stay in business. ▪ She will be setting the agenda for this afternoon's meeting. ▪ setting boundaries/limits/rules ▪ NASA has not yet set [=named] the date for the shuttle launch. ▪ He has set his sights on becoming [=he has decided to try to become] the next president. ▪ We don't have enough time to do everything. We have to set priorities. [=to decide which things are most important to do]
6 [+ obj] a : to give (a particular price or value) to something ▪ An antiques appraiser set the value of the chair at $500. ▪ If you set your prices too high, no one will buy your products. ▪ Her bail was set at $10,000. = The judge set (her) bail at $10,000. [=the judge decided that she will have to pay $10,000 or stay in jail until her trial] b : to give (a high value or importance) to something ▪ They set a high value on their privacy. [=they value their privacy very highly] ▪ Our family sets great store by/on tradition. [=our family believes that tradition is very important]
7 [+ obj] a : to cause (something) to be accepted as an example, rule, etc. : to establish (a standard, trend, etc.) for others to follow or try to copy ▪ They are improving the safety of their vehicles and setting a higher standard for other companies (to follow). ▪ His style of directing has set a new trend in moviemaking. [=other directors are copying his way of making movies] ▪ His behavior sets a good/bad example for the rest of the children. ▪ The ruling is likely to set a precedent for how future cases are decided. [=future cases will be decided based on this case] ▪ Her lighthearted question set the tone for the rest of the interview. [=it gave the rest of the interview a light and easy feeling] b : to establish (a record) as the performance or achievement that is the best of its kind ▪ She set a record for the most sales in the company's history. [=she made more sales for the company than anyone else ever had] ▪ He set the world record for/in the 100-meter dash.
8 [+ obj] : to cause (someone or something) to be in a specified condition ▪ The slaves were set free. ▪ He made a raft and set it afloat in the river. ▪ They set the house on fire. = They set fire to the house. = (more formally) They set the house afire/aflame/ablaze. [=they caused the house to begin burning] ▪ I wish I knew how to set your mind at ease. [=to help you stop worrying] ▪ She set him right/straight about what happened. [=she told him that he was wrong and explained what really happened] ▪ We should set our own house in order [=correct the way we do things] before we criticize them.
9 : to cause (someone or something) to start doing something [+ obj] ▪ We have no idea what set [=got] her crying. —often + to ▪ Her question set me to wondering if I had made the right decision. ▪ They are ready to set the plan in motion. [=they are ready to cause the plan to start happening] ▪ The plan has been set in motion. ▪ Sources say that the governor has set the wheels in motion for a run for the presidency. [=the governor has started to run for president] [no obj] ▪ He immediately set to work [=started working] on the project.
10 [+ obj] Brit : to give (someone) a particular job : to require someone to do (a task) ▪ My boss set me to organizing the files. ▪ She set [=assigned] her students the task of writing a three-page report. ▪ setting homework for the children
11 [no obj] of the sun or moon : to move down in the sky and go below the horizon ▪ We sat on the beach and watched the sun set. —opposite 1rise 5
12 [+ obj] : to put and hold (your jaw, mouth, etc.) firmly into a certain position ▪ She crossed her arms, set her jaw, and refused to answer any questions. ▪ He set his lips firmly.
13 a [no obj] of a liquid : to become thick or hard ▪ The gelatin needs a few hours to set. ▪ My nail polish is still setting. ▪ a quick-setting cement b : to become permanent [no obj] ▪ If you don't wash your shirt right away, the stain will set. [=you will not be able to remove the stain] [+ obj] ▪ Hot water will set the stain.
14 : to put (a broken bone) into its normal position so it can heal [+ obj] ▪ Doctors set her broken leg last week. [no obj] ▪ The bones will take several weeks to set. [=grow together]
15 [+ obj] : to give a particular style to (someone's hair) by wetting it, putting it in curlers or clips, and drying it ▪ She gets her hair set and styled twice a week.
16 [+ obj] : to type or print (a word, sentence, etc.) in a particular form or style ▪ a word set in italics
17 [+ obj] : to add music to (words) : to create (music) to accompany words —usually + to ▪ She wrote the lyrics, and he set them to music.
