resting
Americanadjective
-
that rests; not active.
-
Botany. dormant: applied especially to spores or seeds that germinate after a period of dormancy.
adjective
-
not moving or working; at rest
-
euphemistic (of an actor) out of work
-
(esp of plant spores) undergoing a period of dormancy before germination
-
(of cells) not undergoing mitosis
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of resting
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at rest 1, -ing 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Researchers found that the glacier lost not only this floating ice tongue, but also a large section of grounded ice resting on a flat area of bedrock.
From Science Daily • May 19, 2026
He was suffering from a strained tendon in his right ankle resting at home when his ice cream manager called with a request for assistance.
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026
Mum and baby are currently resting in their enclosure at the zoo.
From BBC • May 12, 2026
They say pissed off spirits wander in the night looking for their resting place.
From Salon • May 9, 2026
Denny lies backward, his hand resting on a full stomach.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.