# reset

/ˈɹisɛt/ (US) · /ɹɪsˈɛt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reset
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to return to a starting state

verb · CEFR B1

to change a machine or system back to its original state or to zero.

For teachers: to restore a device, system, or counter to its initial configuration or a zero value.

- If the screen freezes, you might need to reset the tablet to its factory settings.
- The technician advised the user to reset the router by holding the small button on the back for ten seconds.

Usage: Often used with 'to' when specifying the new state, such as 'reset to zero'.

### 2. to adjust or reposition

verb · CEFR B2

to move or fix something into a new or correct position.

For teachers: to adjust, set, or position an object differently, often to correct an alignment.

- The doctor had to reset the bone in his arm after the accident.
- The jeweller had to reset the diamond because the original gold claws had become dangerously loose over time.

### 3. the act of starting over

noun · CEFR B1

the act of starting something again, often to fix a problem or get a fresh start.

For teachers: the process or instance of returning a system to its initial state, often used figuratively for a fresh start in life or policy.

- A long weekend in the mountains was exactly the mental reset she needed.
- Economists argued that the market required a total reset to correct the artificial inflation of asset prices.

### 4. a physical button

noun · CEFR B1

a button or switch that you press to make a machine start again.

For teachers: a physical or virtual control mechanism designed to initiate a system reboot or clear a display.

- He pressed the reset on the microwave after the power cut.
- The console features a recessed reset to prevent players from accidentally interrupting their game progress.

### 5. receiving stolen goods

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect · Technical

the crime of taking or hiding things that you know were stolen.

For teachers: the criminal act of knowingly receiving or harbouring stolen property or outlaws.

- He was charged with reset after the police found the stolen jewellery in his shop.
- In Scots law, reset remains a distinct offence involving the dishonest retention of property obtained by theft or fraud.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to Scots law; in most other English-speaking regions, 'receiving stolen goods' is used instead.

## Examples

- The computer needs a quick reset to fix the error.
- After a stressful month at work, a weekend in the mountains was the perfect mental reset for the team.
- Economists are calling for a fundamental reset of the country's fiscal policy to address the growing gap between inflation and wage growth.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.