The ability of microorganisms to resuscitate from dormancy has major implications for ecosystem function.By conceptualizing the space of possible definitions of dormancy as a multidimensional trait space, we construct a pluralistic concept of dormancy that accommodates and allows intercomparison between distinct definitions of dormancy from a variety of disciplines.Our framework for describing and comparing definitions of dormancy facilitates cross-communication between subfields of microbiology.Our framework can be applied to extreme cases, such as permafrost, where it allows for discriminating between microorganisms that are adaptively dormant, and those that are simply stressed.