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
Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2025
This month in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin rebooted Intervision, a Soviet-era song contest now open to countries worldwide.
—Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
Variety was first to report on the guest starring roles added to the Scrubs reboot.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reboot
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Verb
While Burton has attempted to reboot the series himself, past efforts were stalled by legal battles with Buffalo Toronto Public Media.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2025
This month in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin rebooted Intervision, a Soviet-era song contest now open to countries worldwide.
—Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
Culhane has appeared on American Vandal, the Heathers TV reboot, and The Sex Lives of College Girls, and is a regular on comedy streamer Dropout TV (formerly CollegeHumor).
—Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
Variety was first to report on the guest starring roles added to the Scrubs reboot.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 2025.
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