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
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 June 2025
Luna’s mother was British costume designer Fiona Alexander, who died when Luna was 2 years old, and his father was Mexican set designer Alejandro Luna, whom Luna shadowed as a child and, later, as an apprentice.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 June 2025
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
In the years after John died, Louie left the Navy and went on to apprentice as a plumber.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for apprentice
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Noun
Deighton said the company plans to add more technicians and apprentices soon, adding that finding qualified people is challenging because U.K. universities are not teaching processes like laser design.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 June 2025
Luna’s mother was British costume designer Fiona Alexander, who died when Luna was 2 years old, and his father was Mexican set designer Alejandro Luna, whom Luna shadowed as a child and, later, as an apprentice.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 June 2025
Verb
But its chef and founder Aitor Zabala — who apprenticed under José Andrés in his native Barcelona — had faith in his tasting-menu concept, and in November 2024 Somni returned to even greater fanfare and acclaim.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
In the years after John died, Louie left the Navy and went on to apprentice as a plumber.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for apprentice
Cite this Entry
“Apprentice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apprentice. Accessed 10 Jul. 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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