reset

verb

re·​set (ˌ)rē-ˈset 

reset; resetting

transitive verb

1

: to set again or anew: such as

a

: to put back into an original place or position

The machine reset the bowling pins.

They reset the diamond in my ring.

I reset the trap.

b

: to put (a bone) back in the correct position for healing

2

: to change the reading of

reset his watch

reset the odometer to zero

reset

ˈrē-ˌset 

noun

resettable

(ˌ)rē-ˈse-tə-bəl 

adjective

Examples of reset in a Sentence

The machine reset the bowling pins.

His broken leg had to be reset.

reset the timer to 10 minutes

The fire alarm was reset.

Recent Examples on the Web

Perched on the aquamarine water of Lake Wörthersee in southern Austria, the Original FX Mayr is a destination for resetting your health. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

That makes ‘reset’ much easier to use as a marketing promise than a measurable medical outcome. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026

When the spring resets the switch, the light beam returns to its original position. — ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026

Start with your primary email account since access to email can help an attacker reset other accounts. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for reset

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• binet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids Definition

reset

verb

re·​set rē-ˈset 

reset; resetting

1

: to set again or anew

reset a diamond in a new setting

2

: to change the reading of often to zero

reset a stopwatch

reset

ˈrē-ˌset

noun

resettable

-ˈset-ə-bəl 

adjective