boot camp

noun

Definition of boot camp

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 Through this boot camp program, our customers are paired with workers from these communities, who can apprentice for the company while getting a college degree for free. — Nerys Mutlow, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2021 In 1923, the Navy opened its own boot camp next door to the depot. — Andrew Dyer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2021 The experience was a boot camp — punishing but character-strengthening. — The Week Staff, The Week, 5 Oct. 2018 Dole served in World War II and was sent to boot camp in Texas in June 1943. — Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2021 Military members already receive several mandatory vaccinations — many of those upon arrival at boot camp and boosters throughout their careers. — Andrew Dyer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Aug. 2021 Some of the crew are as young as 18 and began this cruise fresh out of boot camp. — Hal Bernton, Anchorage Daily News, 20 Oct. 2021 But by then, the Marines were hardened by their boot camp experiences. — Joe Swickard, Detroit Free Press, 17 Aug. 2021 The program was an intensive, monthlong math boot camp, held each year at either West Point or the Naval Academy, in Annapolis. — The New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'boot camp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

8 Jan 2022

Cite this Entry

“Boot camp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boot%20camp. Accessed 18 Jan. 2022.

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More Definitions for boot camp

boot camp

noun

English Language Learners Definition of boot camp

: a camp where people who have recently joined the U.S. Army, Navy, or Marine Corps receive their basic training

: a short but very difficult training program : a program or situation that helps people become much better at doing something in a short period of time

See the full definition for boot camp in the English Language Learners Dictionary