resting

American  

[res-ting] / ˈrɛs tɪŋ /

adjective

1. that rests; not active.

2. Botany. dormant: applied especially to spores or seeds that germinate after a period of dormancy.

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resting British  

/ ˈrɛstɪŋ /

adjective

1. not moving or working; at rest

2. euphemistic (of an actor) out of work

3. (esp of plant spores) undergoing a period of dormancy before germination

4. (of cells) not undergoing mitosis

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Other Word Forms

• unresting adjective

Etymology

Origin of resting

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; rest ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Injured on the first night of the battle, he was resting in the pouring rain beneath a tree when Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman found him.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

Pulling her closer, we embrace, her head resting on my chest, and in silence, we breathe our scent and hear the beating of our hearts.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

The ceremony took place at the historic Les Invalides national monument, the resting place of Napoleon Bonaparte, in the presence of Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, top left-wing politicians, and other high-profile guests.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Grass grows longer in fields that are resting up to two months between being grazed.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

And when I woke up, phone resting against my heart, there was always a happy good morning.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows