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

Chief executive officer Marc Metrick has been rushing to reset the company and luxury retail. —Evan Clark, Footwear News, 12 Nov. 2025

The Cardinals have to decide quickly whether to reset or stick it out with Murray. —Jeff Howe, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025

More recently, scientists at the hospital discovered how light can reset the body’s internal clock and determined the natural length of our daily sleep–wake cycle. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

Initially planning to drain the clock and reset at halftime with A&M kicking off to open the second half, MU ran twice. —Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 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