bootstrap

1 of 3

noun

boot·​strap ˈbüt-ˌstrap 

1

: a looped strap sewed at the side or the rear top of a boot to help in pulling it on

2

bootstraps plural : unaided efforts

—often used in the phrase by one's own bootstraps

bootstrap

2 of 3

adjective

1

: designed to function independently of outside direction : capable of using one internal function or process to control another

a bootstrap operation to load a computer

2

: carried out with minimum resources or advantages

bootstrap efforts

bootstrap

3 of 3

verb

bootstrapped; bootstrapping

transitive verb

: to promote or develop by initiative and effort with little or no assistance

bootstrapped herself to the top

… turns out to be pretty talented at identifying and bootstrapping promising creative endeavors.

—Harry McCracken

bootstrapper noun

Examples of bootstrap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Give your 19th-century plowman a dozen hard ciders, though, and see whether that plays a more significant role in his evening than his urge to pull himself up by his bootstraps. —Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025

Cowan started his career in music by organizing warehouse dance parties — that sort of bootstrap approach permeates nearly every aspect of the company — and lived in London for several years before moving to Montreal. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025

Adjective

The bootstrap origin story of the man who allegedly invented the cult-favorite snack Flamin’ Hot Cheetos is being told in a new feature film directed by actress and Corpus Christi native Eva Longoria. —Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Mar. 2023

Verb

Julia Hartz, the CEO of $225 million live event marketplace Eventbrite, ditched a career in Hollywood to bootstrap her own successful venture. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2025

Eliminating it will add additional costs to individuals trying to bootstrap innovative concepts. —Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

boot entry 3 + strap entry 1

Adjective

from attributive use of bootstrap entry 1

Verb

derivative of bootstrap entry 1 or bootstrap entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1951, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bootstrap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• burlap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kidnap
• kneecap
• madcap
• mayhap