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
Robert WestonIf anything ever happens to the original drive, you can reboot using the cloned drive and be up and running in minutes.—Dan Frakes
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
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
Belinda Luscombereboot an old TV series
b
intransitive
: to start anew : to make a fresh start
The interior designer's heart was telling her to reboot and downsize …—Susan Heeger
Susan Heeger
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
George F. Hepner2
: 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
Jen MurphyExamples of reboot in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The Chiefs can either reboot with a momentous win or suffer their first 0-2 start since 2014 — and the first three-game losing streak since Mahomes became QB1 in 2018.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Keith Langston, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Five years after filming War of the Worlds, the pandemic era reboot has finally seen the light of day.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reboot
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Verb
The new honorees and the living members of the A’s Hall of Fame sat on the middle of the infield in silence while system rebooted.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The Chiefs can either reboot with a momentous win or suffer their first 0-2 start since 2014 — and the first three-game losing streak since Mahomes became QB1 in 2018.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
Brewster also had lead stints on the Dallas reboot and the TV adaptation of Lethal Weapon.
—Keith Langston, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
Five years after filming War of the Worlds, the pandemic era reboot has finally seen the light of day.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reboot
Cite this Entry
“Reboot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reboot. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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