boot camp

noun

1
: a navy or marine corps camp for basic training
2
: a disciplinary facility or program in which young offenders are forced to participate in a rigidly structured routine
3
: a place or undertaking that resembles a military boot camp especially by requiring one to endure intensive training or initiation
Nowadays, the more talented players view their college years as necessary boot camp to prepare them for the riches waiting for them in pro football.Anson Mount
These youngsters are put through what amounts to a boot camp of courses in music notation, basic harmony and ear-training.Smithsonian

Examples of boot camp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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During the boot camp, the actors took World War II history lessons, trained with pilots, learned basic military skills, underwent physical training and became proficient in accurately depicting how to operate the B-17 bombers that were flown by their characters. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025 The Biggest Loser was an NBC reality competition series in which the contestant who lost the most weight after a 30-week boot camp won $250,000. EW.com, 21 Aug. 2025 The competition show put participants through a grueling 30-week boot camp run by a lineup of coaches — most famously Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels. Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025 La Costa’s group fitness classes span everything from yoga, spin, and Pilates to power boxing, high intensity interval training, and cardiovascular boot camp. Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for boot camp

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of boot camp was in 1916

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Cite this Entry

“Boot camp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boot%20camp. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

boot camp

noun
: a camp where recently enlisted members of the Navy or Marine Corps receive their basic training

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