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
Keith Langston, People.com, 19 July 2025
The Smurfs, created by the Belgian comic artist called Peyo, are being rebooted for the first time since the franchise moved from Sony to Paramount and Nickelodeon in 2022.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 16 July 2025
Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 23 July 2025
Then came the 2015 reboot, which was a bomb, turning the characters into sullen, moody versions of themselves (and Dr. Doom into an emo megalomaniac).
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reboot
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Verb
After a series of 1980s films (which were followed by 2011 and 2013 movies starring Katy Perry and Jonathan Winters), the little blue creatures are getting rebooted with Smurfs, which hit theaters on July 18.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 19 July 2025
The Smurfs, created by the Belgian comic artist called Peyo, are being rebooted for the first time since the franchise moved from Sony to Paramount and Nickelodeon in 2022.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 16 July 2025
Noun
Netflix’s August acquisitions include Love Life (dropping Tuesday, Aug. 5); Outlander Season 7, Part 1 and Sullivan’s Crossing Season 3 (both on Monday, Aug. 11); the Quantum Leap reboot (Thursday, Aug. 14); and Extant (Monday, Aug. 18).
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 23 July 2025
Then came the 2015 reboot, which was a bomb, turning the characters into sullen, moody versions of themselves (and Dr. Doom into an emo megalomaniac).
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 22 July 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 29 Jul. 2025.
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