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

The jackpot will also reset to $20 million whenever someone does win. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

But Tuesday’s sell-off has also reset expectations and made the stock cheaper, with Dick’s now trading at roughly nine times 2027 earnings. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026

The rise of the gig economy has reset expectations around pay, with workers like Uber drivers able to access their earnings as soon as a job is completed rather than waiting until the end of a shift, Brandman said. — Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026

Offseason additions and subtractions To reset the culture and offensive structure, Atlanta made a splash by bringing in former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 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