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 In 2021, to prepare for this role, Boyle and the rest of the cast, including Austin Butler, Barry Keoghan and Callum Turner, headed to boot camp. Christopher Kuo, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 The Army has long administered this treatment at boot camps held at Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Moore and Fort Sill. Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 4 Mar. 2024 Think of these next six weeks as a boot camp for Quickley to grow as a playmaker and learn how to be a starting point guard in this league. Esfandiar Baraheni, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Trending Stories The seaside is froth and laughter, bass beats and boot camps. Chandrahas Choudhury, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2024 In 2005, Anthony Haynes, 14, died while being punished at a wilderness boot camp. Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 After boot camp, Michael and his girlfriend married. Molly Langmuir, Rolling Stone, 2 Feb. 2024 Other services cite concerns that lower-performing recruits may be more likely to wash out of boot camp or could present more disciplinary problems over time. Lolita C. Baldor The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 27 Jan. 2024 Through the partnership of Lucas’ Tech Knowledge organization and Florida Memorial University, Lucas has been able to support tech boot camps to train local residents for the tech jobs of the future. Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'boot camp.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of boot camp was in 1916

Dictionary Entries Near boot camp

Cite this Entry

“Boot camp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boot%20camp. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

boot camp

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

More from Merriam-Webster on boot camp

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