set-aside

[set-uh-sahyd]

noun

1. something, as land or profits, set aside for a particular purpose.

2. a tract of federal lands set aside as a wildlife refuge, oil exploration site, etc.

3. a tract of farmland on which commercial crops or a specific crop will not be grown, as part of a federal plan to decrease production in order to maintain or increase prices.

4. a specified amount or percentage of an industry's production set aside, especially for government use.

   Ten percent of gasoline production is a set-aside for emergency use by the state.

5. a government contract awarded, as to a minority-owned business, without competitive bidding.

adjective

1. pertaining to or constituting a set-aside.

   set-aside provisions of the new law.

set aside

verb

1. to reserve for a special purpose; put to one side

2. to discard, dismiss, or quash

noun

1. 1. (in the European Union) a scheme in which a proportion of farmland is taken out of production in order to reduce surpluses or maintain or increase prices of a specific crop

   2. ( as modifier )

      set-aside land

Word History and Origins

Origin of set aside¹

First recorded in 1940–45; noun, adj. use of verb phrase set aside

Idioms and Phrases

Separate and reserve for a special purpose, as in We have to set aside some chairs for latecomers . [Early 1700s] Also see set by .

Discard or reject, as in Setting aside all health considerations, do you believe this law is fair to smokers? [Early 1400s]

Declare invalid, annul, or overrule, as in The higher court set aside the conviction . [Mid-1700s] Also see lay aside .

Example Sentences

Boston-based Judge Burroughs wrote in Wednesday's ruling: "The Court vacates and sets aside the Freeze Orders and Termination Letters as violative of the First Amendment."

From BBC

Millions of dollars have already flowed into the nascent campaigns sparring over the Nov. 4 special-election ballot measure that asks voters to set aside the congressional boundaries drawn in 2021 by California’s independent redistricting commission.

From Los Angeles Times

The fund will be sliced into thirds, with two-thirds, or about $33.9 million, set aside for property owners, and one-third, or about $16.7 million, for residents.

From Los Angeles Times

They urged the court to set aside the judge’s order and to clear the way for agents to make stops if they suspect the person may be in the country illegally.

From Los Angeles Times

It plans to build the hotel on 42 acres at the center of the site, with the remaining 110 acres set aside as open space.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abolish 
• abrogate 
• annul 
• deny 
• dismantle 
• dismiss 
• invalidate 
• lift 
• nullify 
• quash 
• remove 
• renounce 
• repeal 
• rescind 
• retract 
• reverse 
• vacate 
• void 
• withdraw