bootstrap

1 of 3

noun

boot·​strap ˈbüt-ˌstrap How to pronounce bootstrap (audio)
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
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
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 Contact support Powered By Inter will need to pull itself up from its bootstraps on Saturday after heartbreak a week ago. Alex Tabet, NBC news, 31 May 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
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 Low-Cost Bootstrapping Strategies The decision to bootstrap your SaaS business versus seeking venture capital is a significant one. John Hall, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bootstrap

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of bootstrap was in 1875

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Cite this Entry

“Bootstrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bootstrap. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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