resting

adjective

rest·​ing ˈre-stiŋ How to pronounce resting (audio)
1
: being or characterized by dormancy : quiescent
a resting spore
bulbs in the resting state
2
: not undergoing or marked by division : vegetative
a resting nucleus

Examples of resting in a Sentence

the resting cat was curled up in my favorite chair
Recent Examples on the Web Green Bay could finish as high as sixth in the NFC if the resting Rams lose to the 49ers, potentially setting up a first-round matchup against the division-rival Lions. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2024 In this condition, a lot of the hairs all over the scalp going into the resting phase all at once–this is seen clinically as an abrupt significant increase in shedding. Tatjana Freund, ELLE, 4 Aug. 2023 More muscle means more metabolically demanding muscle cells, which translates into a higher resting metabolism. Emily Willingham, Scientific American, 14 June 2023 After the breathing exercise, class ends with five minutes of Savasana, the Sanskrit name for the resting and restorative period when practitioners lie supine to relax, regroup, and calm the nervous system. Andi Breitowich, Men's Health, 1 May 2023 This is likely because hair follicles are cut off from their blood supply and forced into a resting phase prematurely. Marisa Sloan, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2023 This wasn’t the resting place of just one animal: The stone was littered with the remains of at least six individual dinosaurs of different ages and sizes. Brian Switek, Smithsonian, 9 Aug. 2017 The researchers found that girls had higher resting heart rates at age 11 compared with boys. Rubén Rosario, Twin Cities, 5 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'resting.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of resting was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near resting

Cite this Entry

“Resting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resting. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

resting

adjective
rest·​ing
: not growing or active : dormant sense 2b
a resting spore

Medical Definition

resting

adjective
rest·​ing
1
: not physiologically active
red blood cells in a resting state
2
: occurring in or performed on a subject at rest
a resting EEG
a resting tremor

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