apprentice

noun, often attributive ap·pren·tice \ ə-ˈpren-təs \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of apprentice

1 a : one bound by indenture (see ¹indenture 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

2 : an inexperienced person : novice

an apprentice in cooking

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apprenticeship

play \-tə(sh)-ˌship, -təs-ˌship\ noun

See apprentice defined for English-language learners

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Examples of apprentice in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of apprentice from the Web

Jacksonville architect Robert Broward, an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright, designed the campus’ master plan.

— marcia heroux pounds, Sun-Sentinel.com, "JM Family to launch $150 million headquarters campus renovation in Deerfield Beach," 16 Apr. 2018
Orlando educational-game developer Lucerna Studios served as a pilot for the apprentice program last month, leading Edwin through a week of work experience that included seeing an investment pitch and exposure to VR.

— marco santana, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando program aims to expose low-income students to virtual reality," 4 Apr. 2018
Phil Coombes, landlord of the Prince of Wales pub, hasn’t heard from 15-year-old Joe, an apprentice painter with Mike Yates and Sons, a firm that’s been contracted to apply a fire-retardant emulsion to buildings at government airfields.

— marilyn stasio, New York Times, "Child Sleuths and Child Victims," 30 Mar. 2018
Next month, two Latina engineers from Portland, Oregon, will join his team as full-time apprentices making $15 an hour plus benefits.

— bloomberg news, OregonLive.com, "Portland engineers join Nike, others to diversify tech," 29 Mar. 2018
Next month, two Latina engineers from Portland, Ore., will join his team as full-time apprentices making $15 an hour, plus benefits.

— bloomberg, latimes.com, "A coding school and Boys & Girls Clubs tackle tech's diversity problem: How do you make the industry less white?," 23 Mar. 2018
The chef started as an apprentice at a bakery when 12 years-old, then worked in Milan and Turin, perfecting his pastry art.

— linda bladholm, miamiherald, "Cakes and confections with an Italian spirit highlight this new Miami Beach bakery | Miami Herald," 22 Mar. 2018
Next month, two Latina engineers from Portland, Oregon, will join his team as full-time apprentices making $15 an hour, plus benefits.

— Fortune, "This White Tech Guy Has an Idea to Make Tech Less White," 21 Mar. 2018
Next month, two Latina engineers from Portland, Oregon, will join his team as full-time apprentices making $15 an hour, plus benefits.

— rebecca greenfield, Bloomberg.com, "This White Tech Guy Has an Idea to Make Tech Less White," 21 Mar. 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.