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
Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
But while Irving Langmuir went on to win the Nobel Prize and rub shoulders with celebrities in and outside of science, and even star in a Kurt Vonnegut novel, Katharine Blodgett remained for most of her career, his apprentice, and she's been largely forgotten.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Celebrities in the space, such as Frank Oz, apprenticed at Fairyland, and Metz continues to run multiple shows per day, both revivals and original creations.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apprentice
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Noun
After a dispute with his business partner, Valente left the business and went to apprentice with Shige Tokita, who first brought sushi to Sacramento in the 1970s.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
But while Irving Langmuir went on to win the Nobel Prize and rub shoulders with celebrities in and outside of science, and even star in a Kurt Vonnegut novel, Katharine Blodgett remained for most of her career, his apprentice, and she's been largely forgotten.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
The team includes Nivel Hospitality Group founders Arron Cappello and DJ Flores and mixologist Lu Lopez, who apprenticed under Sam Ross at the Venetian’s Cocktail Collective before serving as corporate mixologist for Wakuda at The Palazzo.
—Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Celebrities in the space, such as Frank Oz, apprenticed at Fairyland, and Metz continues to run multiple shows per day, both revivals and original creations.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apprentice
Cite this Entry
“Apprentice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apprentice. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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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