What does resending mean?
Resending means sending something again, often because the first message was lost, incomplete, or sent to the wrong place. In everyday digital communication, “resend” usually means repeating the transmission of an email, text, attachment, or link: one might ask a colleague to resend a document or remind a sender to resend the meeting details. The word can also mean sending the same information to a different person, although “forward” is often more natural in that situation. Resending is neutral in tone and common in both British and American English. As a gerund, it can describe the process itself, as in “the resending of the contract,” while the related form “resent” has a completely different meaning and can cause confusion in written communication.
To send a message, file, or other item again.
"Please resend the email when you have a chance."
Common in both formal correspondence and informal digital communication.
The act of sending something again.
"The resending of the form is required before the application can be processed."
Usually encountered in the phrase “the resending of” or with “resending” functioning as a gerund.
Resending is the digital-age cousin of the postal reminder: sometimes the message was not the problem; it was simply lost in transit.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of resending
The word is formed from the prefix re-, meaning “again,” and the verb send. The underlying verb send has Old English roots and developed into the modern English family that includes sender and sending. The prefixated form resend is a straightforward modern formation, especially common in electronic communication.
Related word forms
How resending is actually used
Resending is common in formal and informal English, especially in email, messaging, and customer-service contexts. It is less usual for physical objects than for electronic communications.
Easily confused with resending
Resending means sending again, while resenting means feeling bitter or angry about something.
Resending usually means sending the same item again, whereas forwarding means passing it to someone else.