reboot

1 of 2

verb

re·​boot (ˌ)rē-ˈbüt 

rebooted; rebooting; reboots

1

a

transitive + intransitive : to shut down and restart (a computer or program)

… the annoyance of having to reboot the computer to switch operating systems …

—Robert Weston

If anything ever happens to the original drive, you can reboot using the cloned drive and be up and running in minutes.

—Dan Frakes

b

intransitive : to start up again after closing or shutting down : to boot up again

waiting for a computer/program to reboot

2

a

transitive : to start (something) anew : to refresh (something) by making a new start or creating a new version

reboot an old TV series

… decided to reboot the idea as a tribute concert.

—Matt Wake

It's probably not an overstatement to say Sandberg is embarking on the most ambitious mission to reboot feminism and reframe discussions of gender since the launch of Ms. magazine in 1971.

—Belinda Luscombe

b

intransitive : to start anew : to make a fresh start

The interior designer's heart was telling her to reboot and downsize …

—Susan Heeger

reboot

2 of 2

noun

re·​boot ˈrē-ˌbüt 

plural reboots

1

: the act or an instance of shutting down and restarting something (such as a computer or program)

In a few cases, errors cause a headlong exit to DOS or the software ceases to operate, requiring a reboot.

—George F. Hepner

2

: the act or an instance of starting (something) anew or making a fresh start

In a massive reboot last fall, all 200 rooms were done up in geometric rugs and curvy leather headboards.

—Jen Murphy

Examples of reboot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

With that, his brain is rebooted to factory settings, and Hank essentially dies in her arms, replaced by another blank slate. —Jack King, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026

This comes four years after Bravo rebooted RHONY in 2022 for its 14th season, which featured a whole new cast of Housewives after a controversial and low-rated season 13. —Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026

Noun

Director Jake Schreier, who is helming Marvel Studios’ X-Men reboot previously gave an update. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2026

Wilder things have happened in Hollywood in the age of reboots, reunions, and revivals! —Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1971, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1980, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for reboot

• acute
• aleut
• astute
• beetroot
• breadfruit
• cheroot
• commute
• compute
• confute
• dilute
• dispute
• elute