boot camp

noun

1

: a navy or marine corps camp for basic training

2

: a disciplinary facility or program in which young offenders are forced to participate in a rigidly structured routine

3

: a place or undertaking that resembles a military boot camp especially by requiring one to endure intensive training or initiation

Nowadays, the more talented players view their college years as necessary boot camp to prepare them for the riches waiting for them in pro football.

—Anson Mount

These youngsters are put through what amounts to a boot camp of courses in music notation, basic harmony and ear-training.

—Smithsonian

Examples of boot camp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That umbrella term encompasses wilderness therapy programs, therapeutic boarding schools, boot camps and places like the now-defunct Asheville Academy. —Rachel Hale, USA Today, 11 May 2026

Just over three years ago, Schneider was the keynote speaker at a boot camp graduation at Naval Station Great Lakes. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026

On July 20, 2016, a hard fork was implemented during the first IC3 boot camp. —Emin Gün Sirer, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026

Guns, youth boot camp and pregnancy, in readers' eyes. —Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for boot camp

• decamp
• encamp
• headlamp
• preamp
• revamp
• timestamp
• amp
• champ
• clamp
• cramp
• damp
• gamp

Kids Definition

boot camp

noun

: a camp where recently enlisted members of the Navy or Marine Corps receive their basic training