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

Speaking of that, Bentley and team vividly construct a wildfire set piece that feels eerily realistic and threatening right now of all times. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025

The point-of-view shot is usually kept to a bravura scene or two—such as the famous opening sequence of Halloween, and some of the director Brian De Palma’s memorable set pieces. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2025

Saada allows this set piece to play out at gratifying length. —Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

Villa’s second came from right-back Cash crossing on the second phase of a set piece. —Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1a