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

After that breach, 23andMe did not take common protocols such as asking customers to reset their passwords or use multifactor authentication. —Jaimie Ding, Fortune, 29 May 2026

After that breach, 23andMe did not take common protocols such as asking customers to reset their passwords or use multifactor authentication. —ABC News, 28 May 2026

Season 2 also doesn’t reset, instead charging forward with implausible quarterly vacations and Nick as a main character in absentia, which leaves a sizable Steve Carell-sized hole with only an unspeaking infant to fill the void. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 May 2026

Additionally, the park will have multiple sensory gardens for guests who want to break away to reset or relax. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 28 May 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