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

Councilmembers could then run again after a four-year cooling-off period, resetting the term limit period. —Heather McRea, Orange County Register, 6 Nov. 2024

Harris instantly reset the terms of the contest with Trump. —Matt Brown, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2024

Out of an abundance of caution, all 13 of the machines involved are being reset. —ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024

Think of eventual 2015 winner Nadiya Hussain’s use of bubblegum and cream-soda flavors to signal her playful personality after weeks of doing poorly on Technicals; instead of letting that anxiety overwhelm her, Nadiya reset her persona with those mischievous eclairs. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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