ap·pren·tice
ə-ˈpren-təs 
often attributive
1
a
: 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
apprenticed; apprenticing
: to set at work as an apprentice
especially
: to bind to an apprenticeship by contract or indenture
: to serve as an apprentice
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
Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
Ritter says the company starts to see a return on investment in its apprentices by Year 3.
—Andy Tonsing, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
In the Giants’ best-case scenario, the defense will carry the team, while Wilson capably guides the offense as Dart spends his rookie season apprenticing on the sideline.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprentice
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Noun
Managers worry that apprentices may miss the chance to learn institutional best practices with each project outsourced.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
Ritter says the company starts to see a return on investment in its apprentices by Year 3.
—Andy Tonsing, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
His grandfather had worked in the trade in Russia before the family migrated, and Yüna eventually began apprenticing with uncles in the Diamond District.
—Janee Bolden, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
In the Giants’ best-case scenario, the defense will carry the team, while Wilson capably guides the offense as Dart spends his rookie season apprenticing on the sideline.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprentice
Cite this Entry
“Apprentice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apprentice. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
apprentice
1 of 2 noun
ap·pren·tice
ə-ˈprent-əs
: a person who is learning a trade or art by experience under a skilled worker
apprentice
2 of 2 verb
apprenticed; apprenticing
: to set at work as an apprentice
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