reset

verb

re·​set (ˌ)rē-ˈset 

reset; resetting

transitive verb

1

: to set again or anew

reset type

reset a diamond

reset a circuit breaker

2

: to change the reading of often to zero

reset an odometer

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

Both have been set and reset multiple times over the past few months. —Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025

The game resets with a new song at midnight local time. —Kris Holt, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Continuous control is crucial because missions often last for hours without the chance to reset or recharge, and a lapse in control could risk both the mission and human lives. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025

Streaming platform Plex has suffered a data breach and has requested users to reset passwords immediately. —PC Magazine, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for reset

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• 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