What does resting mean?
Resting means being at rest rather than moving or performing an activity. As an adjective, it commonly describes a person, animal, object, or physiological measurement in a state of stillness or recovery. For example, a resting heart rate records the heart’s usual rate while a person is awake and relaxed, whereas a resting position describes how someone or something is situated when inactive. Resting may also refer to a place where someone can rest or to a period of inactivity. In most contemporary use, it appears in medical, scientific, sporting, and descriptive language: resting metabolic rate, resting posture, and a resting place. Although it is grammatically the present participle of “rest,” it is also treated as an independent adjective and, more rarely, as a noun. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for precise description, while “relaxed” and “reposeful” often carry a warmer or more literary association.
Lying, sitting, or otherwise being at rest; also, intended or used for resting.
"The medicine should be taken in a resting position."
Common in medical, biological, sporting, and descriptive contexts.
A period of rest or the act of resting.
"The birds use the island as a resting place during migration."
The noun sense is relatively uncommon compared with the adjectival and participial uses.
Rare and usually avoided; the noun sense is normally treated as uncountable.
"The programme provides brief restings between the sessions."
Your resting heart rate is the baseline your body returns to before exercise or activity raises it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does resting come from?
“Resting” was formed in Middle English by adding the present-participle suffix -ing to “rest.” “Rest” comes from Old English restan, meaning “to rest, remain still, or remain secure,” and ultimately continues Germanic roots associated with taking rest. The derivative “restful” and “restless” preserve the same English lexical base in contrasting senses.
How resting is actually used
The adjective is common in technical and descriptive contexts, especially in biology, medicine, and sport. The noun is uncommon in general use, although the gerund form of “rest” is widely understood.
Easily confused with resting
Resting describes someone or something currently at rest, whereas rested describes someone who has recovered from exertion or fatigue.