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 streamer does have an opportunity to reset what a Women’s World Cup feels like to the American viewer, after years of the tired Fox approach. — Emily Olsen, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Your innate cycle is not exactly 24 hours, so the clock has to reset each day to sync with Earth’s rotation. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026

The team continually assesses and resets what matters most as circumstances change. — Tony Gambill, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Our innate cycle is not exactly 24 hours, so biological clocks must reset daily to sync with Earth’s rotation. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 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