Verb
We will not rest until we discover the truth.
The workers were resting in the shade.
He is resting comfortably after his ordeal.
She went to her room to rest for a while.
The coach canceled practice to rest his team.
He rested his horse before continuing the journey.
You should rest your eyes after all that reading.
The pitcher needs to rest his arm.
The spoon was resting in the cup.
The house rests on a concrete foundation. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Whether its a pro-approved sunscreen or dark spot diminishing treatment, rest assured its lineup is top-notch.—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2023 If there is an absolute standard of rest, then going faster than light no longer immediately implies the ability to go back in time.—Jennifer Ouellette and Sean M. Carroll, Ars Technica, 24 Nov. 2023 When your body is at rest, the medication has a longer window to soften or stimulate bowel movement, which results in timely relief in the morning.—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 24 Nov. 2023 MacKinnon is on a sabbatical, which is meant to be a period of rest and reflection.—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Nov. 2023 The brand is a multi-Allure Best of Beauty Award winner, after all, so rest assured that our editors have tested and love these nutrient-rich formulas.—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 21 Nov. 2023 After an episode of alcohol poisoning, rest and hydration are key.—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2023 The name of this dessert implies the combination of every ingredient in the kitchen, but rest assured, this delicious dessert is anything but trash.—Nik Pugmire, Southern Living, 12 Nov. 2023 This isn't to say adequate rest has no importance, of course.—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 14 Nov. 2023
Verb
Completed this year, the grand house rests on property that has a celebrity pedigree dating back to the 1930s.—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2023 If Hamas decides not to do it, the responsibility will request – will rest squarely on Hamas' shoulders.—CBS News, 26 Nov. 2023 Her aging mother rests on cardboard with a bullet lodged in her breast, waiting for an operation.—Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2023 Melt butter: Once preheated, add 1 stick butter to hot skillet, and allow to rest in oven until melted.—Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023 The round, plush bed is a soft and comfortable place for your dog to rest because its edges cocoon them with a sense of security.—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023 Lauryn Hill’s vocal injury postpones another show on ‘Miseducation’ anniversary tour
Oct. 31, 2023
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Earlier in the tour, Hill postponed October shows in Philadelphia and Fort Worth, Texas, to rest her voice.—Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023 The installation, stretching over 35 meters wide, showcases signature Dior codes; from stars and clovers to Zodiac signs, resting upon floating floral motifs.—Maia Torres, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023 Its center of gravity rests directly over its feet, with its muscles anchored to its skeleton, directing the turkey’s weight down below.—Paul M. Sutter, Discover Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023 See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German rasta rest and perhaps to Old High German ruowa calm
Noun (2)
Middle English reste, literally, stoppage, short for areste, from Anglo-French arest, from arester to arrest
Noun (3)
Middle English, from Anglo-French reste, from rester to remain, from Latin restare, from re- + stare to stand — more at stand
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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