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

The winner matched all six white balls and the gold Mega Ball to win the jackpot, which has now been reset ahead of Tuesday’s drawing. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025

Beijing ultimately wants the Trump administration to reset relations. —David Pierson, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025

At this point, the team may be better served stepping back and resetting for next season. —Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

These orders reset government policy on everything from immigration enforcement to diversity initiatives to environmental regulation. —Sharece Thrower, The Conversation, 20 Jan. 2025

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