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

Other Words from 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

Since Wright passed away in 1959, the families decided to go with the next best things and hire Berndtson, a former Taliesin apprentice. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "A Frank Lloyd Wright resort in Pennsylvania adds a new home," 3 May 2019 The visit will explore the organisation's work, and see The Duchess meet some of the talented teams and apprentices working behind the scenes. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle Will Make Her First Visit as Patron of the National Theatre This Week," 26 Jan. 2019 The unions recently increased the portion of apprentice slots reserved for woman from 10% to 15%, and most are filled by NEW graduates. — Anne Kadet, WSJ, "Yes They Can! Program Boosts Number of Women Construction Workers," 12 Feb. 2019 Many thought Darth Maul should have been the villain in multiple prequels, but for Anakin Skywalker to become Darth Vader, an opening had to made in the Sith apprentice role. — David Betancourt, chicagotribune.com, "The hero in a possible 'Solo' sequel could be the villain," 29 May 2018 The cadet program is for recent high school graduates who have been hired for a two-year apprentice-style program to become firefighters. — Ashley Luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee Fire Department records detail sexual harassment that led to firing of 5 cadets," 26 Mar. 2018 When Yale Buchwald’s mother gave him a pair of Lord and Taylor leather texting gloves for Hanukkah a few years ago, the New York creative strategy apprentice, now 21, excitedly considered the possibilities. — Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, "We Tried 50 Texting Gloves. Here are the Best Pairs," 12 Feb. 2019 The kitchen staff of 28 people, plus apprentices, serves 92,000-95,000 meals per year. — Sylvie Corbet, Fox News, "Hidden underground world below French president put on view," 15 Sep. 2018 While there, the happy couple toured Nechells Wellbeing Centre, and met with Coach Core apprentices to hear about how the program, which just launched in Birmingham last year, is going. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle Showed Off Her Sporty Side in a Wrap Top at the Coach Core Awards," 24 Sep. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Among the many strong ties between the two programs, Cal coach Justin Wilcox notably apprenticed under UW coach Chris Petersen for four years at Boise State. — Adam Jude, The Seattle Times, "Former Washington walk-on Hayden Schuh now bleeds blue as a grad assistant with the Cal Bears," 25 Oct. 2018 She was trained at Central Saint Martins and apprenticed under the Savile Row tailor Edward Sexton. — Tamara Abraham, Harper's BAZAAR, "Will Princess Eugenie Wear a Stella McCartney Wedding Gown Down the Aisle Today?," 12 Oct. 2018 To demonstrate our fillets’ versatility Chef Loomis, a Michigander who trained by apprenticing in restaurants and who joined Top of the Market following a stint at the Gaslamp’s Searsucker, chose first to sear and then roast both fish. — Nicole Sours Larson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "White fish & vegetables," 9 July 2018 That’s a powerful concept for Amirah Mitchell, 25, who’s been apprenticing under Taylor since April. — Anya Van Wagtendonk, Philly.com, "Truelove prizes seeds and stories from around the world," 2 July 2018 Soon apprenticed as an apothecary, Arnold eventually set up his own general-goods shop in New Haven and, with an eye to the main chance, began making merchant voyages to Canada and the West Indies. — William Anthony Hay, WSJ, "‘The Tragedy of Benedict Arnold’ and ‘Turncoat’ Review: His Own Worst Enemy," 24 May 2018 Webster’s own connection comes through her father, a stone carver who apprenticed with artist Edmund Kara, one of the central figures in Big Sur’s bohemian-Hollywood connection. — Wallace Baine, San Francisco Chronicle, "Why did Old Hollywood celebs love Big Sur so much?," 31 May 2018 Anyway, Virgil’s credentials aren’t from prestigious fashion schools or years apprenticing in Parisian ateliers. — The Editors Of Gq, GQ, "Our Favorite Moments from Virgil Abloh's Louis Vuitton Debut," 21 June 2018 Patricia played offensive line in college (much like Caldwell played defensive back before moving primarily to the offensive side as a coach) and apprenticed under one of the top defensive minds of this generation in Bill Belichick. — Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, "How Detroit Lions Matt Patricia's mind can help QB Matthew Stafford," 25 May 2018

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.