apprentice

noun, often attributive

ap·pren·tice | \ ə-ˈpren-təs

Definition of apprentice

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : one bound by indenture (see indenture entry 1 sense 1a(3)) to serve another for a prescribed period with a view to learning an art or trade

b : one who is learning by practical experience under skilled workers a trade, art, or calling a carpenter's apprentice — compare journeyman sense 1, master entry 1 sense 1c

2 : an inexperienced person : novice an apprentice in cooking

apprentice

verb

apprenticed; apprenticing

Definition of apprentice (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to set at work as an apprentice especially : to bind to an apprenticeship by contract or indenture

intransitive verb

: to serve as an apprentice

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about apprentice

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Examples of apprentice in a Sentence

Noun decided to be an apprentice to an electrician after he graduated aware that she's only an apprentice in the medical field, she readily defers to her more experienced colleagues Verb He apprenticed with a master carpenter for two years.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The program includes funding to protect the jobs of 120,000 apprentices, cash payments to welfare recipients and lower-income households and money to support the cashflow of small- and medium-sized firms, Bloomberg reports. — Adrian Croft, Fortune, "What the world’s biggest economies are doing to fight coronavirus, and fend off recession," 12 Mar. 2020 After a decade of working in costume design, fashion, performing arts and vintage clothing, Griffin purchased a 100-year-old hat company and served as an apprentice with Michael Harris, a master hatter. — Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, "Your guide to Kentucky Derby 2020 trends: Where to find hats, sales and fashion inspiration," 27 Feb. 2020 The measures put in place this month by the government and central bank include cash payments of as much as A$100,000 to small businesses, loan guarantees, support for apprentices and the doubling of unemployment benefits. — Jason Scott, Bloomberg.com, "Australia Unleashes Record Stimulus in A$130 Billion Jobs Plan," 10 May 2020 More than a few assistant and apprentice conductors at the FWSO have benefited from Harth-Bedoya’s mentorship. — Tim Diovanni, Dallas News, "The final bow: Miguel Harth-Bedoya’s lasting legacy at the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra," 7 May 2020 Former Apprentice Of Doc Antle — Barbara Fisher Fisher was one of Antle’s apprentices for several years and made serious claims about his alleged business practices in Tiger King. — Gina Vaynshteyn, refinery29.com, "A Guide To Help You Keep Track Of Every Player In Netflix’s Tiger King Docuseries," 30 Mar. 2020 Several pieces, however, were changed up, or chopped up, much like Mickey’s apprentice did with that wooden broom. — Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, "NYFW: Oscar de la Renta Designers Say They Got "Lucky" With Scarlett Johansson's Oscars Gown," 11 Feb. 2020 But unbeknown to him, the doll maker’s apprentice (the mordantly funny Gerhard Ritterband) breaks the latest model, and Ossi (Ossi Oswalda), the doll maker’s daughter, steps in to be sold in its place. — Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times, "Now’s a Good Time to Give Silents a Try. Start With These Comedies.," 9 Apr. 2020 Most facilities are over-stressed, running low on protective gear, and lack the resources to take on a new apprentice. — Rachel Swan, SFChronicle.com, "As California braces for coronavirus surge, nursing students beg to enter workforce early," 27 Mar. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Malcolm Brown apprenticed for five seasons behind Todd Gurley, Darrell Henderson for one. — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, "Rams expect Malcolm Brown, Darrell Henderson to fill Todd Gurley’s shoes," 16 Apr. 2020 Samuel Yellin was born in the Russian Ukraine in 1884, apprenticed with a master ironsmith, and traveled throughout Europe before arriving in Philadelphia in 1905 to join his mother and siblings. — oregonlive, "Century-old Japanese vase, Revolutionary War box, toy car: What are they worth?," 3 Apr. 2020 So, when do people born on the 29th (and not apprenticed to pirates) celebrate their birthday in those three off-years? — CBS News, "Leap Year: Bringing birthdays out of limbo," 1 Mar. 2020 Cookie—a talented chef who, in his youth, had been indentured and apprenticed to a Boston baker—is a dreamer in other ways, too. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, "“First Cow,” Reviewed: Kelly Reichardt’s Fatalistic Portrait of Early American Entrepreneurs," 9 Mar. 2020 Noting Cindy’s fluid writing and powers of observation, her English teacher steps in, apprenticing her to a junior reporter at the local daily newspaper, The Torrington Register. — Ellen Barry, New York Times, "Get a Job, Kid," 28 Feb. 2020 After apprenticing in a string of positions and teaching for a short time in Alabama, Handy started a band and followed his musical passions to St. Louis. — al, "How Alabama’s W.C. Handy became ‘Father of the Blues’," 4 Feb. 2020 One winner each year apprentices at a top restaurant, then receives coaching by the Roux brothers. — William Grimes, New York Times, "Michel Roux, 78, Dies; Helped Bring French Cuisine to London," 14 Mar. 2020 As a poor and orphaned 14-year-old, Jabez Gorham was apprenticed to a silversmith. — Cate Mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, "With this glittering display of silver, a Providence rags-to-riches tale," 3 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apprentice.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.