ap·pren·tice
ə-ˈpren-təs 
often attributive
1
a
: one bound by indenture (see indenture entry 1 sense 1a(3)) to serve another for a prescribed period with a view to learning an art or trade
b
: one who is learning by practical experience under skilled workers a trade, art, or calling
a carpenter's apprentice
compare journeyman sense 1, master entry 1 sense 1c
2
: an inexperienced person : novice
an apprentice in cooking
apprenticed; apprenticing
: to set at work as an apprentice
especially
: to bind to an apprenticeship by contract or indenture
: to serve as an apprentice
Examples of apprentice in a Sentence
Noun
decided to be an apprentice to an electrician after he graduated
aware that she's only an apprentice in the medical field, she readily defers to her more experienced colleagues
Verb
He apprenticed with a master carpenter for two years.
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
An impressive 93% of apprentices retain employment after completing an apprenticeship program.
—Portia Wu, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2025
Josh Kendall, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Ando graduated from Berkeley with a degree in East Asian Studies, and from Yale in Buddhist iconography, before apprenticing with a master metalsmith in Japan.
—Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprentice
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Noun
The rest of the cast will return, including new fan-favorite and Skoll apprentice, Shin Hati, played by Ivanna Sakhno.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
An impressive 93% of apprentices retain employment after completing an apprenticeship program.
—Portia Wu, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
Dart will apprentice behind Russell Wilson and presumably Jameis Winston as well, but no one is sure how long.
—Josh Kendall, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Ando graduated from Berkeley with a degree in East Asian Studies, and from Yale in Buddhist iconography, before apprenticing with a master metalsmith in Japan.
—Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apprentice
Cite this Entry
“Apprentice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apprentice. Accessed 12 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
apprentice
1 of 2 noun
ap·pren·tice
ə-ˈprent-əs
: a person who is learning a trade or art by experience under a skilled worker
apprentice
2 of 2 verb
apprenticed; apprenticing
: to set at work as an apprentice
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