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
Miles Socha, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
President Trump’s goal of 1M apprentices is a good start, but not nearly enough.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2025
Surrounded by a vibrant food culture, Samuelsson apprenticed in kitchens in Switzerland, Austria, and France before moving to New York City in the 1990s.
—Jake Stern, Outside Online, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprentice
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Noun
Born in Paris in 1879, Poiret started his career as an apprentice at fashion houses including Worth and Doucet, setting up his own in 1903.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
President Trump’s goal of 1M apprentices is a good start, but not nearly enough.
—Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Verb
Her son, Chris Hutson, has been apprenticing at the shop for four years and will likely be The Clock Shop’s sixth-generation owner one day.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2025
Surrounded by a vibrant food culture, Samuelsson apprenticed in kitchens in Switzerland, Austria, and France before moving to New York City in the 1990s.
—Jake Stern, Outside Online, 22 May 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 6 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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