re·boot
(ˌ)rē-ˈbüt 
rebooted; rebooting; reboots
1
a
transitive + intransitive
: to shut down and restart (a computer or program)
… the annoyance of having to reboot the computer to switch operating systems …—
Robert Weston
Robert WestonIf anything ever happens to the original drive, you can reboot using the cloned drive and be up and running in minutes.—Dan Frakes
Dan Frakes
b
intransitive
: to start up again after closing or shutting down : to boot up again
waiting for a computer/program to reboot
2
a
transitive
: to start (something) anew : to refresh (something) by making a new start or creating a new version
It's probably not an overstatement to say Sandberg is embarking on the most ambitious mission to reboot feminism and reframe discussions of gender since the launch of Ms. magazine in 1971.—Belinda Luscombe
Belinda Luscombereboot an old TV series
b
intransitive
: to start anew : to make a fresh start
The interior designer's heart was telling her to reboot and downsize …—Susan Heeger
Susan Heeger
plural reboots
1
: the act or an instance of shutting down and restarting something (such as a computer or program)
In a few cases, errors cause a headlong exit to DOS or the software ceases to operate, requiring a reboot.—George F. Hepner
George F. Hepner2
: the act or an instance of starting (something) anew or making a fresh start
In a massive reboot last fall, all 200 rooms were done up in geometric rugs and curvy leather headboards.—Jen Murphy
Jen MurphyExamples of reboot in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebDave Quinn, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
Earlier this week, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band rebooted their world tour, following a pause that began last fall due to Springsteen's health concerns.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2024
One ad account manager lost a Thanksgiving weekend struggling to upload a series of 15-second video ads for a major client, because inexplicably, the tool kept rebooting, over and over.
—Paresh Dave, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024
What started as another chance to reboot Japan’s greatest pop-cinematic import had expanded into a franchise, with the end goal being to get both of those horror-movie heavyweights into one multiplex ring.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2024
After several attempts to reboot one of the great fantasy classics of world literature, See-Saw Films, producer of Oscar winners The King’s Speech and The Power of the Dog, has signed a deal to adapt The Neverending Story as a series of live-action feature films.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024
Perry first appeared as a judge when American Idol was rebooted in 2016 on ABC.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
The fifth film in the Spy Kids franchise, Armageddon reboots the series after a more than 10-year absence from the screen.
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2024
After a multiyear pandemic pause, the agency is rebooting its collection efforts, hammering home its intent to chase down high earners who owe the most.
—Ron Lieber, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024
Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2024
The series, about a lovable ogre (Mike Myers) who is forced to save a princess (Cameron Diaz) from a locked tower, has spawned two spinoffs, three sequels, a musical adaptation, a Universal Studios ride, a bootleg internet reboot, and countless horny memes.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
In the reboot, Jaden starred as Dre, who, after moving from the U.S. to Beijing, runs into some trouble and ends up learning a thing or two about self-defense from Mr. Han (Chan), a kung fu master.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
That’s why Winston, our meager proxy, is available for a thoroughgoing reboot.
—Stephen Metcalf, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024
Its return in 2025 isn’t assured, but Hagerty, the automotive lifestyle firm that owns it and two other leading classic car shows, is evaluating new dates, locations and a general reboot.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, over in the comic books, the characters have been enjoying something of a fourth or fifth golden age following a soft reboot of the franchise in 2019 by writer Jonathan Hickman that has continued under other writers.
—Herb Scribner, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
From classic reboots to Oscar-winning films, the popular DSP will have something for everyone in April.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 2 Apr. 2024
In his book, screens are both a cause and a symptom of a society that is careening off the rails, and nothing less than a reboot will get things back on track.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 29 Mar. 2024
Verb
All six helped reboot the longtime franchise last summer when season 14 premiered.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
Earlier this week, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band rebooted their world tour, following a pause that began last fall due to Springsteen's health concerns.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2024
One ad account manager lost a Thanksgiving weekend struggling to upload a series of 15-second video ads for a major client, because inexplicably, the tool kept rebooting, over and over.
—Paresh Dave, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024
What started as another chance to reboot Japan’s greatest pop-cinematic import had expanded into a franchise, with the end goal being to get both of those horror-movie heavyweights into one multiplex ring.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2024
After several attempts to reboot one of the great fantasy classics of world literature, See-Saw Films, producer of Oscar winners The King’s Speech and The Power of the Dog, has signed a deal to adapt The Neverending Story as a series of live-action feature films.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024
Perry first appeared as a judge when American Idol was rebooted in 2016 on ABC.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
The fifth film in the Spy Kids franchise, Armageddon reboots the series after a more than 10-year absence from the screen.
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2024
After a multiyear pandemic pause, the agency is rebooting its collection efforts, hammering home its intent to chase down high earners who owe the most.
—Ron Lieber, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024
Noun
Melrose Place is getting the reboot treatment again, but this time with original stars Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga, and Laura Leighton returning to stir up trouble.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2024
The series, about a lovable ogre (Mike Myers) who is forced to save a princess (Cameron Diaz) from a locked tower, has spawned two spinoffs, three sequels, a musical adaptation, a Universal Studios ride, a bootleg internet reboot, and countless horny memes.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
In the reboot, Jaden starred as Dre, who, after moving from the U.S. to Beijing, runs into some trouble and ends up learning a thing or two about self-defense from Mr. Han (Chan), a kung fu master.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024
That’s why Winston, our meager proxy, is available for a thoroughgoing reboot.
—Stephen Metcalf, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024
Its return in 2025 isn’t assured, but Hagerty, the automotive lifestyle firm that owns it and two other leading classic car shows, is evaluating new dates, locations and a general reboot.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, over in the comic books, the characters have been enjoying something of a fourth or fifth golden age following a soft reboot of the franchise in 2019 by writer Jonathan Hickman that has continued under other writers.
—Herb Scribner, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
From classic reboots to Oscar-winning films, the popular DSP will have something for everyone in April.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 2 Apr. 2024
In his book, screens are both a cause and a symptom of a society that is careening off the rails, and nothing less than a reboot will get things back on track.
—Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reboot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near reboot
Cite this Entry
“Reboot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reboot. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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