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

With another bottom-feeding team coming to Crypto.com Arena, Doncic and the Lakers might actually benefit from resting the superstar.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 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

Under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, it is an offence to deliberately capture, injure, kill or disturb beavers, or damage or destroy their breeding or resting places, without a licence.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

“It looks good on you,” Autumn signs, a small smile resting on her face.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer