reset

verb

re·​set (ˌ)rē-ˈset How to pronounce reset (audio)
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 noun
resettable 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That had Riley on Friday hinting that the Feb. 6 trade of Butler to the Golden State Warriors was just the start of the latest of the franchise resets over his 30 seasons as the team’s steward. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2025 However, use this option as a last resort; resetting your PC can result in loss of software and some personal data, and the process can sometimes fail or cause system problems. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2025 That means a focus on being more agile and able to rapidly and repeatedly reset the business as the market changes. Jill Standish, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025 The lava flows would have filled in any existing craters and helped to reset the ages measured by moon rocks and lunar zircons. Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for reset

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reset was in 1628

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reset. Accessed 17 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

reset

verb
re·​set rē-ˈset How to pronounce reset (audio)
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on reset

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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