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

Universities and boot camps—Teaching and mentoring roles are great stepping stones for people during transitional periods. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

But did three weeks of boot camp develop a strong enough bond between the cast by the time cameras rolled? QUINN Absolutely. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025

And everyone committed to the boot camp and worked incredibly hard. —Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2025

Still, what the boot camp is especially known for is what happens outside the classroom. —Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 11 June 2025

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