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
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
bootstrapped; bootstrapping
: 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
Harry McCracken
bootstrapper
noun
Examples of bootstrap in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Like any founder facing a market disruption, the newly freed had to quickly identify opportunities, bootstrap resources and scale.
—Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Mar. 2023
Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
Each founder contributed $30,000 of their personal savings for a total of $120,000 to bootstrap the business.
—Joe Camberato, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bootstrap
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
It's got all the Stars and Stripes: entrepreneurial spirits, bootstraps mentalities and the familiar drag of bureaucracy.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Like any founder facing a market disruption, the newly freed had to quickly identify opportunities, bootstrap resources and scale.
—Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 18 June 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
The timing underscores a bitter truth: while federal lawmakers celebrate American exceptionalism, grassroots leaders like Monday are forced to bootstrap the very safety nets their communities have been denied.
—Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
Each founder contributed $30,000 of their personal savings for a total of $120,000 to bootstrap the business.
—Joe Camberato, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bootstrap
Cite this Entry
“Bootstrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bootstrap. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share