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

set-piece

ˈset-ˌpēs 

adjective

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

It’s most effectively rendered in the second act’s rumble — a stark, visceral, and surprising set piece that uses rain and strobe lighting and leaves both cast and audience breathless. —Ew Staff, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024

The Red Bulls like to press high, frustrating opposing offenses and taking advantage of turnovers or set pieces to score. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024

Fans get to peak at behind-the-scenes images of costumes, set pieces and personal reflections written by Swift herself. —Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024

Henry had punched the ball over the goal off a set piece two minutes earlier to save a goal. —Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 16 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1a